52. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the importation of canned fruit he is table to state the average percentage of syrup content.
§ Mr. F. WilleyI cannot give a figure for all imported canned fruit, but that imported by my Department contains about 40 per cent. of syrup.
Mr. De la BèreCan the Minister tell us why certain imported canned fruit is allowed to come in with a 20 per cent. syrup content, while home canned fruits have always to have 40 per cent., which is obviously very detrimental to home canning?
§ Mr. WilleyI have replied for the imports for which my Department is responsible. I have no knowledge about the other imports, but I can assure the hon. Member that the question of fixing standards for all canned fruits is under consideration.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWhen the Parliamentary Secretary says he has no knowledge about imports of a lower content than 40 per cent., will he look at the correspondence I sent him about a week ago?
§ Mr. WilleyYes, Sir.