HL Deb 20 May 1954 vol 187 cc836-8WA
LORD ARCHIBALD

asked Her Majesty's Government from which countries wheat has been imported into this country during the past year, and the amount imported from each; in which of these countries there is any form of support price or other type of assistance to the producer; and what in each case is the estimated amount of such subsidy or assistance.

LORD MANCROFT

The principal countries from which wheat has been imported into the United Kingdom in the year ending March 31, 1954; the amounts of wheat imported from each; and the countries in which, on available information, there are arrangements for some form of support price or other type of assistance to the wheat producer are set out in the following table:

Supplying Countries Amount in tons Whether support price or other assistance exists
Canada 2,669,866 Yes
Australia 434,556 Yes
Argentine Republic 256,811 Yes
U.S.A 181,075 Yes
France 160,523 Yes
Others (a) 179,057
Total 3,881,888

(a) This includes 63,490 tons from Belgium, which is believed to cover indirect shipments from sources unknown, and minor shipments from Bulgaria, Denmark, Sweden, Syria, Soviet Union, Italy, Finland and Turkey.

As to the estimated amount of subsidisation in respect of the shipments to this country, I would refer the noble Lord to the reply which I gave to him on May 5, 1954.

House adjourned at half past five o'clock.