§ 57. Mr. de Rothschildasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the fact that the crop of plums in the present season cannot be fully absorbed by the requirements of the market, he has considered the question of arranging to have the surplus quantity canned and stored as part of the national food reserve?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonAs regards the use of the powers contained in the Essential Commodities Reserves Act for the creation of a reserve of jams or canned fruit, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) on 5th July. I am, however, glad to say that it has been found possible to frame a scheme, in consultation with jam manufacturers, whereby the manufacturers will be invited to lay down this year a special reserve of plum pulp produced from plums grown in the United Kingdom. Grants will be payable, under certain conditions, in respect of stocks of pulp held by manufacturers additional to those required for their normal trade. In the event of an outbreak of war, this additional pulp would make possible the manufacture of additional supplies of jam.
§ Mr. W. A. RobinsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will be plum pulp or whether there will be turnips in it?
Mr. De la BèreIs not that a reflection on the plum growers of Pershore and Evesham, who are the finest people in the country and produce the finest plums?