HC Deb 11 July 1949 vol 467 cc13-4
25. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he is making to obtain a supply of apples during the winter.

Mr. Strachey

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations announced on 9th May, we intend making a limited purchase of apples from Canada. In addition, we shall obtain all we can from non-dollar sources of supply.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is the Minister aware that the absence of dessert apples last winter was felt more than the absence of any other fruit, and that when the Italian crop arrived many retailers found that no less than one-third of the apples in each case were bad?

Mr. Baldwin

Does the Minister realise that a plentiful supply of English apples is being grown this year, and will he take care to issue licences only when the increased supply has been exhausted?

Mr. Strachey

In the winter I think we shall wish to import all the dessert apples we can get from non-dollar sources.