§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum allowance for the current allocation period for exports of beef from Botswana to Britain under the Lomé Convention, what amount is estimated to be imported, what is the gross amount of the levy and by whom it is initially paid.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the present arrangements for trade in beef between the European Economic Community and the countries covered by the Lomé Convention allow Botswana to send a maximum of 7,567 metric tons of beef to the Community in the period up to and until 31st August 1975. The whole of this allocation has now been licensed for import. The latest estimate is that around 3,200 tons have been imported. About £1 million has been paid in levy so far by the importer.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, and 1083 being grateful for the re-assuring answer given by my noble friend Lord Goronwy-Roberts to the observations of my noble friend Lord Brockway in the debate on Wednesday, may I ask whether he realises that there appears to be some apprehension about the Lomé Convention? Does he realise that it is reported that the cattle ranchers are being called upon to pay the levy in advance and to have it repaid later—no easy matter in a country with a population of about three per square mile and limited communications—and that it is of the greatest possible importance, in view of the important developments taking place in Botswana and our very old association with the President (not invariably happy, but that was not his fault) for us to take every step to provide a re-assuring organisation to a country whose production of beef is liable to be very seriously affected by drought?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, of course we note carefully what my noble friend has said. Her Majesty's Government are fully aware of the problems caused by the present arrangements. Indeed, that some action might be required was foreseen by the Lomé Convention. We believe that the Community has a moral obligation to ensure a rapid and satisfactory solution. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be raising the matter at next Tuesday's meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs.
§ Baroness GAITSKELLMy Lords, is it not the case that we can now bring pressure to bear in the Community to iron out anomalies of this kind, now that we are staying in?
§ Lord STRABOLGIYes, my Lords. I am sure that what my noble friend has said is right.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while welcoming the fact that the Government are to take up this matter with the European Community, may I ask the Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the apparently authoritative statement in the Press that Botswana has not been paid for its beef imports since last March? In view of the distress among the farmers in Botswana, if this is true can Her Majesty's Government expedite the payment?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I will certainly look into what my noble friend has said. My information is that about £1 million has so far been paid in levy by the importer and that this is about half of Botswana's total return.
Earl FERRERSMy Lords, can the noble Lord give any indication whether the current allocation of beef—to which the original Question referred—is greater or less than it was before Botswana had the advantage of the Lomé Convention?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the quotas are based on the quantities sent by each country to the Community countries in their best year over the period 1969 to 1974.