§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement on his negotiations for voluntary restraint on deliveries of cheddar cheese to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesAgreement has been reached with Australia, New Zealand and the Irish Republic on the basis of arrangements for voluntary restraint of exports of cheddar and cheddar-type cheese to the United Kingdom market for the two year period ending 31st March, 1970. In giving its agreement, the Irish Republic has made it clear that it does not regard voluntary restriction arrangements for its agricultural exports as a normal feature of the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement and has reserved all its rights in respect of future years.
Imports from these three countries together with home production account for just under 90 per cent. of the market supply, and the agreement reached is an important step forward. Discussions are now being urgently pursued with the remaining suppliers. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.
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