37. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to prevent an undue quantity of Italian plums being imported into this country next year, in view of the substantial increase in the amount imported in 1937 compared with 1936, and in view of the difficulties experienced by home-growers last season?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have been asked to reply. The bulk of the imports of Italian plums are of the dessert variety, and normally arrive before the English plum crop is on the market. Foreign plums are already subject to an import duty of 1d. per 1b., which was equivalent to about 23 per cent. ad valorem in the 1937 plum season. It is, of course, open to growers at any time, if they think it desirable to do so, to submit an application for a higher duty to the Import Duties Advisory Committee. As regards the alternative of quantitative regulation of imports, I would remind my hon. Friend that under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1933, imports can be regulated only in association with a marketing scheme covering the home product. No such scheme for plums is in operation or, so far as I am aware, in preparation.
Mr. De la BèreAre the Government aware of the great hardship of the growers in the Vale of Evesham this year, and of their desperate plight to get any price for their plums; and will any steps be taken before next season to assist these men, 1684 who are some of the finest people in the country?
§ Mr. RamsbothamMy hon. Friend will realise that the bulk of these plums arrive before the English plums come on the market. If he will study the last part of the answer, he will see that certain steps are possible for bringing assistance to the plum growers.