§ Mr. C. S. TAYLORasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that the present differential duties on imported milk products are not worked out on a liquid milk gallonage basis, with the result that foreign and Dominion producers divert their milk into a product which carries least duty; and if he will consider taking steps to protect the home manufacturers and producers from this form of competition;
(2) whether, in view of the importance of the home manufacturing industry of dairy products arm of the increasing supply of milk in this country, he will receive a deputation representing the manufacturers in regard to the matter relating to imports of dairy products?
§ Mr. ELLIOTDominion milk products are not at present subject to import duties and it is impracticable to make a comparison of the hay on foreign milk products on the b sip suggested by my hon. Friend. Foreign and Dominion producers no doubt use their milk for those products that accord best with their particular system of farm economy, e.g., in Denmark the manufacture of butter is closely associated with the use of skimmed milk for pig feeding. In any case, the 253W cost of the liquid milk is only one item in the cost of the final product.
A general indication of the policy of the Government in relation to imports of milk products was given in a statement made on 25th July last, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. The position of the home industry is safeguarded for the present by the provisions of the Milk Act, 1934, and the assistance provided by that Act is being continued under the Milk (Extension of Temporary Provisions) Bill now before Parliament. The dairy produce situation, with special reference to butter and cheese imports, will be fully reviewed by the Government in the light of the report of the Reorganisation Commission for Milk for Great Britain, which is expected to be available in May, or soon after.
As regards milk powder and condensed milk (skimmed and whole) an application for increased duties has been submitted by the manufacturers and producers to the Import Duties Advisory Committee and is now under consideration. Any representations regarding duties on those products should therefore be addressed to that Committee. In these circumstances I do not think that any useful purpose will be served by my receiving a deputation at the present time, but if during the forthcoming review the manufacturers of dairy products desire me to receive a representative deputation, I shall be glad to make the necessary arrangements.