§ 17. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Food to what extent supplies of raisins and other dried fruit will be available this year in time for Christmas; and if he will take steps to ensure that they are obtainable everywhere.
§ 42. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Food how much dried fruit such as currants, sultanas and raisins will be available for Christmas; and when such fruit will appear for sale in the shops.
§ Mr. StracheyAn allocation of currants, sultanas and packeted dates has just been made and should reach the shops in good time for Christmas. Owing to the failure of the Australian crop there will be no raisins before Christmas. The quantity of dried fruits allocated is the same as in October last year. As sugar registrations form the basis of distribution for almost all dried fruit for household consumption, supplies will be evenly distributed.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyDoes not the Minister of Food agree that this will be a great disappointment to the housewife, who wants to make her Christmas puddings now? How does the right hon. Gentleman account for dried fruits being available on the Continent and not in this country?
§ Mr. StracheyThe quantity of dried fruits will be about the same as last year in this country. It is true of raisins because of the bad crop in Australia.