HC Deb 27 July 1950 vol 478 cc662-3
10. Mr. Turton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of tinplate is being exported to foreign countries for use in canning luxury vegetables which are subsequently imported into this country.

Mr. H. Wilson

I am not sure what the hon. Member means by "luxury" vegetables, but in the past 12 months, 103 tons of tinplate were exported for the purpose of canning tomato puree.

Mr. Turton

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his policy in this matter? Is he aware that some of our British canneries are on the point of being closed because of the shortage of tinplate while Dutch canneries have received more than six times as much tinplate from this country as last year?

Mr. Wilson

I am aware of the serious tinplate position, but the hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that the export of tinplate is strictly controlled and that a large proportion of the quantity exported is used to can food for import into this country.

Mr. Turton

Is that not a very unwise use of the control? Surely the priority should be for home-produced fruit and vegetables to be canned here.