§ 70. Sir Richard Glynasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that cheese imported from Holland is not subsidised by Holland; by what proportion imports of cheese from Holland have increased in the last 12 months; and what the prospects are of any further increase.
§ Mr. GreenMy right hon. Friend inquires into the question of subsidisation only when an application for the imposition of countervailing duties has been made. No such application has been received in respect of imports of Dutch cheese. Imports in 1961 amount to 7,600 tons and in 1962 to 8,800 tons. This was an increase of 16 per cent., but the 1962 figure was no higher than that for 1960, and represented only 3½ per cent. of estimated total consumption.
126WI understand that there may be some increase in imports of Dutch cheddar cheese, which in 1962 were about 1,000 tons out of the total imports of 8,800 tons. I cannot forecast whether there will be any increase in total imports.