HC Deb 31 March 1947 vol 435 cc1641-3
18. Mr. Austin

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now stop the importing of luxury fruits such as pineapples, pomegranates, etc., which are beyond the reach of the working-class purse, with a view to greater concentration on the supply of fruit at commercial prices.

6. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is much concern about the importing of expensive fruit, prices of which are beyond the reach of many people; and what steps he is taking to import cheaper fruit and vegetables.

Mr. Strachey

I am grateful to my hon. Friends for raising the matter. In the first place, I think we should make a mistake if we supposed that what they term expensive fruits always stay expensive. For example, when we first gave an open general licence for the import of tangerines they cost 10s. 6d. per lb., and I was severely criticised; but at the height of the season they could be bought for 8d. a lb.; in the same way, grapes started at very high prices, but when they were most plentiful came down to 1s. 6d. per lb. Secondly, it is quite wrong to think that these fruits are alternative to any other more important foodstuff. In the main they come from countries which owe us money—or my right hon. Friend the Chancellor would not let me buy them: again we would never devote shipping space to them if there were cargoes of more important foods available. Naturally, nothing could be easier than to forbid their import; but we should get nothing whatever in their place. Would that not be a real instance of austerity for austerity's sake?

Mr. Austin

That is most unsatisfactory. Is not my right hon. Friend pandering to the longest possible purse in this matter; and can he say why there should be this discrimination against the working class?

Mr. Strachey

That is a matter of opinion. Does my hon. Friend think that the import of tangerines, for example, at 1s., and, in some cases, 8d. a pound, shows discrimination against the working class? Of £6½ million spent on these fruits to date, no less than £5 million has been spent on tangerines. That is the major item. I should have thought that, by and large, the import of these fruits was justified.

Mr. Beechman

Will the Minister explain to the country that, in view of the low value of the £, imported vegetables are bound to be expensive?

Mr. Molson

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister entitled to end his reply to a Question by asking a question? "Would that not be a real instance of austerity for austerity's sake?"

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman can reply to any Question in any way he likes.

Mr. Parkin

Does my right hon. Friend in fact buy them, or does he give a licence to other people?

Mr. Strachey

These particular fruits are under open general licence. I should have said that my right hon. Friend would not allow me to allow them to be bought.

Mr. E. P. Smith

Can the Minister say what is the price per pound of pineapples at the height of the season?

Mr. Strachey

The price of a pineapple today is about 10s. I cannot give the price per pound. They started at about 25s. each, and have now come down to about 10s. each. I do not say that they will come down to the same price as tangerines.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

I think that we had better get on to the next Question.