§ 75. Mr. LOUGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the Government have taken over the control of all dealings in dried fruits and sent out Commissions to Greece and Spain respectively for purchases there; whether he is aware that this time last year there were about 35,000 tons of Greek currants here and afloat and about 5,000 tons of Spanish raisins; and whether he will state what quantity the Government have already secured for this market and when they will be available?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As I informed the hon. Member for Rotherham last Thursday, it has not at present been found possible to obtain the currants required from Greece at reasonable prices. Purchases of Spanish raisins have had to be deferred owing to difficulties of exchange.