§ 29. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the extension of the period in which duty will be payable on imported strawberries has involved cancellation of arrangements by English canners for the canning of French strawberries from 17th June, which would have provided seasonal employment for thousands of workers; whether any representation has been made to his Department; and will he state the terms of his reply?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have received certain representations with regard to the point raised by the hon. Member. My reply to such representations is to the effect that, in view of the lateness of the strawberry crop this season, the extension of the period during which a duty of 6d. per lb. will be payable on imported foreign strawberries was rendered necessary in order to give effect to the intentions of the Horticultural Products Act to protect the early home market against foreign producers with climatic advantages.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the imported strawberries would have been wholly canned and that he has done an injustice to the importers and the thousands of workpeople, who, obviously, will not procure employment?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI see no reason why British strawberries should not be canned.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the English strawberries will not be available and that by no stretch of the imagination can the canners be employed?
§ Mr. ROSBOTHAMIs it not a fact that the extension of the period will enable the English strawberries to be canned, and that they are of better quality than the foreign?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI hope so.