HC Deb 01 March 1951 vol 484 cc2294-5
57. Mr. Percy Wells

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the amount of additional acreage of orchards planted in Kent since 1945.

Mr. T. Williams

The orchard area in Kent was 69,700 acres in June, 1945, and 76,300 acres in June, 1950, a net increase of 6,600 acres.

Mr. Wells

Can the Minister explain this increase, in view of the complaints from growers that they cannot profitably market their production?

Mr. Williams

There has been a good deal of encouragement from my Department to farmers in Kent and elsewhere to increase their production of high-quality food.

Mr. Deedes

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Minister of Food to these figures, when it comes to thinking of imports of canned and fresh fruits?

Forward to