§ Mr. P. Browneasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is proposing to take about the import of butter into the United Kingdom after the current six-month period of restraint of shipments by exporting countries ends on 31st March.
§ Mr. ErrollI hoped that, during the current period of restraint, the countries concerned would agree upon any further short-term measures which were necessary, but these hopes have been disappointed. In the absence of internationally agreed arrangements, the New Zealand dairy industry would be likely to suffer material injury from dumped or subsidised exports to the United Kingdom. Therefore, Her Majestys Government have decided to restrict imports of butter into the United Kingdom for the period of twelve months beginning 1st April; licences will be issued for the import of up to 390,000 long tons.
The general import policy of Her Majesty's Government remains unchanged by this exceptional action.