§ 6. Major ENTWISTLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the restrictions on the importation of oranges into this country, the re-export trade in oranges from Hull has now passed into the hands of neutrals, and that this and other similar trades are being permanently lost to this country, thus prejudicially affecting the exchange and causing great losses to the merchants, transport workers, and shipping of Hull, and that, in spite of urgent applications for some weeks for licences and the suggestion put forward by the fruit section of the Hull Chamber of Commerce adequately safeguarding our exchange in Spain, nothing has been done; and whether he can now state when these restrictions will be removed?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)I have been asked to reply. The removal of the present restrictions, according to which the imports of oranges from Spain into this country must not exceed 50 per cent. of the quantities imported in 1916, is dependent upon considerations, of exchange, concerning which I am now in communication with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I hope that it will be possible for me to make a statement on the subject shortly.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Member, on whose behalf I have asked this question, has received an assurance from the Import Restrictions Department that his scheme for the re-exportation of oranges would be accepted, and, in spite of that, there have been no steps taken in this direction?
§ Mr. McCURDYNo, Sir; I have no information on the point.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the hon. Member inquire?
§ Mr. McCURDYCertainly.