§ 31. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the continued difficulties facing the Palestine citrus growers; whether any financial assistance is now being given to the producers comparable to the financial assistance given to agricultural producers in some of the British Colonies; and what answer is to be made to the request of the citrus industry in Palestine that 2,000,000 boxes be purchased this year for the British market.
§ Colonel StanleyThe need for continued assistance to the Palestine citrus growers in war conditions has been recognised by the maintenance during the 1944–45 season of cultivation advances on substantially the same conditions as have been available in the previous war years. The request of the industry that 2,000,000 boxes of fruit should be purchased this year for the British market has received careful consideration. Although it will not prove possible, owing mainly to shipping limitations and the difficulty in obtaining packing materials, to bring this quantity of fruit to this country, I hope that the shipments will show a very substantial improvement on those made last year.
§ Mr. PetherickWill it be possible to place any of these 2,000,000 units elsewhere on the Continent?
§ Colonel StanleyThat is quite another question.