§ 51. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the glut of strawberries in North Lincolnshire owing to the shortage of tinplate and the scarcity of baskets; and what action he proposes to take to help the fruit farmers.
Mr. T. WilliamsMy information is that the Lincolnshire strawberry crop, now finished, was a good one but that there has been no glut. I have had no complaints of tinplate shortage for strawberry canning. The supply of baskets for strawberries has also met requirements.
§ Mr. OsborneIf I send the Minister evidence of the shortage and the difficulties which growers have been in as a result of it, will he look into the matter, assuming that he is in the same job next year, will he take steps next year to put it right?
§ Mr. Gerald WilliamsWill the Minister say why it is the policy of the Government to export tinplate to other countries and thus enable them to compete with ourselves, when they do not have to comply with the same standards as our own fruit growers?
Mr. WilliamsI told the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) that there was no shortage of tinplate for strawberry canning.
§ Mr. DeedesHow closely does the right hon. Gentleman work on this question with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food?
§ Mr. WilliamsVery closely indeed