§ Mr. Gardnerasked 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 1970.
§ Mr. MasonI have decided to continue the quota system for imports of butter for a further twelve months beginning on 1st April, 1970. The total imports to be authorised initially will be 425,000 tons. This is the amount estimated to keep stocks of butter in the United Kingdom at a satisfactory level, after taking into account the expected level of home production and consumption of butter this year. It represents an increase of 28,000 tons over the present quotas and partially restores the reduction of 65,000 tons made a year ago. Supplying countries will continue for next year to be free to phase their supplies to suit variations in market demand during the year. The global quota of 9,000 tons for imports of near butters and butter-fat mixtures which was introduced two years ago will be repeated at the same level. Notices to Importers giving details of the butter and near butters/butter-fat mixture quotas will be published shortly.