§ 61. Mr. Jacksonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will, in consultation with the Minister of Food, fix a minimum price to growers for this season's plum crop?
Mr. HudsonIt is not the intention to fix minimum prices to growers for plums. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Food proposes to fix the maximum retail price of jam on a level that will enable the manufacturers to pay to growers a price of £8 per ton f.o.r. for the plums.
Mr. De la BèreWhy not make it illegal for jam manufacturers to pay less than £8 a ton for these plums? Is not 399 the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very important matter for Evesham and other fruit-growing districts?
Mr. HudsonAs far as I am aware, there is nothing to prevent growers obtaining £8 a ton for their plums.