35. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, during 740 1949, imports of tomatoes from the Canary Islands increased in value by £3,400,000 as compared with 1948, whereas imports from the Channel Islands fell by nearly £3,000,000 as compared with the previous year; and what steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of Channel Island and home producers and to ensure that in the coming season they do not suffer adversely from gluts of imported foreign tomatoes.
§ Mr. WebbI cannot agree that there is any competitive factor which is against the interests of Channel Island growers. That cannot be so as Canary Island tomatoes arrive in the winter and Channel Island tomatoes mainly in the summer. However, my Department and the Agricultural Departments have arranged to restrict other foreign imports which might arrive at the peak of the Channel Island and home production season. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Press notice giving the details. If he has any further worries on this matter I should be happy to discuss them with him.
Mr. Baker WhiteWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that this is a matter of great importance to British agriculture? I feel that it was not given very much publicity at the time. Had I known that this had been done, I would not have asked the Question.