§ 67. Mr. WHYTEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food 1050 whether the price fixed for the 1918 raspberry crop is too low to meet the present high cost of production; whether since the price was fixed the weather has been unfavourable to raspberry growing in Scotland, and that in consequence the Scottish growers, particularly in the important counties of Perth and Forfar, are faced with a heavy loss on the present crop; and whether he can see his way to offer a better price?
§ Mr. PARKERThe price of raspberries was raised on 5th July from £37 to £44 per ton plugged owing to the effects of the continued dry weather. It is not considered that the raspberry crop will be unremunerative to the growers at the present price, and it is not proposed to make any further alteration.
§ Mr. WHYTEWas that price fixed with regard to the practice of English growers, who laid stress upon the conditions prevailing in the growing of other kinds of fruits than raspberries, and is the hon. Gentleman in a position to reconsider that decision in view of the conditions in Scotland?
§ Mr. PARKERI cannot make the hon. Member any promise, but I will bring his representations to the notice of my right hon. Friend.
§ Sir J. D. REESDid not the hon. Gentleman inform me that the Government had not taken over the raspberry crop this year, and did he not mean they had no concern with it in this year?
§ Mr. PARKERI did not gather it meant that. What was said was that no one had been appointed on behalf of the Government to purchase the crop in Scotland.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs any such appointment contemplated, and, if it is, will the hon. Gentleman take care it is not Mr. Hodge, of Blairgowrie?
§ Mr. PARKERThe hon. Member had better put that question down.