37. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the distress prevailing among the citrus producers in Palestine; and whether he will consider the installation of a dehydration plant to enable these products to be exported?
§ Colonel StanleyYes, Sir. I am aware of the difficulty that has been experienced by the citrus producers in Palestine in disposing of their produce. The measures taken in 1942 by the Palestine Government to assist growers were set out in an answer given to the hon. Member for Shipley on 1st July, 1942, a copy of which I am sending to my right hon. Friend. Similar assistance is being provided for this year's crop. A dehydration mission, consisting of two officers of the Ministry of Food and a member of the United States Department of Agriculture, is at present visiting Africa and is expected to visit Palestine in the near future. The mission will report to the Minister of Food and the report will assist me in advising the Palestine Government whether any action should be taken in the matter of installing a dehydration plant in Palestine. The production of concentrated citrus juices has already been started in Palestine, and 886 quantities are purchased by the Ministry of Food.
Mr. AstorIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that citrus dehydration plant is already in successful production in the United States and that its immediate introduction into Palestine would relieve the distress of the Jewish colonists, who have put so much capital and skill into these plantations, and would provide very useful fruits and vitamins for the troops and for Europe after the war?
§ Colonel StanleyIt is exactly on that point that I am getting a report.