§ Mr. Dalyellasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the import arrangements for butter for the year beginning 1st April, 1969.
§ Mr. CroslandI have decided to continue the quota system for imports of butter for a further twelve months beginning on 1st April, 1969.
The total of imports to be authorised initially will be 397,000 tons. This amount is lower than usual because stocks in the United Kingdom are exceptionally high and rising, and it is necessary to reduce them. We shall keep the situation under review during the year. Because of the large reduction in our import requirements, the distinction between basic quotas and supplementary authorisations, with the attendant requirement that part of the total allocation must be delivered during the period April to November, has been suspended. Supplying countries will be free to phase their supplies to suit variations in market demand during the year.
149WThe global quota of 9,000 tons for imports of near butters and butterfat mixtures which was introduced a year ago will be repeated at the same level.
Notices to importers giving details of the butter and near butters/butterfat mixture quotas will be published shortly.