§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will seek to compensate exporting firms and co-operatives who suffer loss as a result of his decision to ban the export of meat;
(2) how the ban on the export of meat will affect existing export contracts; what estimate he has made of the effect on the future of meat exports and on the relationship of British exporters and their customers overseas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartI regret that it has been necessary to interfere temporarily with this export trade, but in present circumstances the first responsibility of the Government must be to safeguard essential supplies.
Meat producers will be able to find alternative outlets in this country at the present time and I hope that this will minimise any risk of loss.
As I have already announced, the ban on exports relates solely to the situation caused by the seamen's strike, and should not, therefore, permanently harm the export trade. I am convinced that both British exporters and their customers overseas will fully appreciate the reason for the ban.