17. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food what proportion of the 1947 main crop of Channel Island tomatoes was tinned or processed into tomato juice or tomato purée.
§ Dr. SummerskillI understand that, of the total exportable Jersey crop, probably about 5 per cent., or a little less, was processed in Jersey or in the United Kingdom. None of the Guernsey crop was processed in Guernsey, but some small quantities may have been processed in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Baker WhiteMay I ask the hon. Lady whether, in view of the fact that we have been importing tomato juice from as far away as Australia, South Africa and the West Indies, her Ministry will take steps to improve the facilities for processing tomatoes in the Channel Islands?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Channel Islands have facilities there, but the hon. Gentleman must remember that we have no jurisdiction over them.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldWhy not process more English tomatoes? They are going rotten in many places because there is no market for them.