§ 61. Commander Nobleasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that tangerines are being sold in London at about 1s. 6d. each; what is the import price of this fruit; from where they are imported; and whether this is permitted, in view of the fact that oranges are still on the ration.
§ Mr. StracheyPresent supplies of tangerines are being privately imported from 858 the Mediterranean area. We do not attempt to control the price but as and when supplies increase prices will no doubt fall. In the meanwhile no one is, of course, compelling the hon. Member's constituents to pay 1s. 6d. for a tangerine. Needless to say there is no question of these or other similar private imports interfering with our bulk Government purchases of the maximum obtainable quantities of oranges and other staple fruits which are sold at reasonable controlled prices.