§ 25. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is taking any action to encourage the importation of Empire fruit; and whether he is satisfied that our Dominion and Crown Colonies are supplying us with a fair proportion of our imports.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton on the 28th March. About 25 per cent. of our fruit imports now comes from Empire sources, compared with 13 per cent, before the War, and I have every confidence that the recent steady increase in Empire supplies is likely to be maintained.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that 25 per cent. is a favourable percentage to come from our Colonies?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the supplies from mandated territories rank as part of the British Empire for these Preference purposes?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy should Palestine be excluded from these benefits, when the other mandated territories receive them?
§ Mr. AMERYI regret that they should be excluded from these benefits, but there are technical and legal reasons which make it difficult to include them.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase is very small, as evidenced by an answer given a few moments ago? Does he think that an increase of that description is fast enough?
§ Sir BASIL PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman not of opinion that a duty on foreign fruit, with Preference to Empire-grown fruit, would rapidly increase the proportion of Empire-fruit imports?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must not have a fiscal discussion.