HC Deb 10 December 1968 vol 775 cc100-1W
Lord Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what reply the Government have now received from the Eire Government to its request to overseas Governments, as announced on 7th August, to reduce exports of Cheddar cheese to the United Kingdom market;

(2) what progress has been achieved in the Government's consultations with overseas suppliers on their export of cheese products to the United Kingdom market, as announced on 7th August.

Mr. Hoy

My right hon. Friend hopes soon to make a statement on the response by the overseas suppliers.

Lord Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agiculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will itemise the estimated imports of Cheddar cheese for the year ending 31st March, 1969 from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Eire and Holland respectively.

Mr. Hoy

As the volume of cheddar imports from these countries is the subject of the negotiations on voluntary restraint, an estimate for the year ending 31st March, 1969 would be inappropriate.

The latest available figures are for the seven months, April to October 1968, as follows:

New Zealand, 29,397 tons; Australia, 12,436 tons; Canada, 11,649 tons; Irish Republic, 11,408 tons; and Netherlands, 4,804 tons.