52. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the exceptionally large crop of home-grown dessert apples available for public consumption; and whether, in view of this fact, he will postpone the sale of Canadian and American apples by retailers from 1st December to 15th December.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeImports of North American apples will not begin until 5th December, and some days will elapse before they appear in the shops. I do not think that any postponement of sales would be justified. By that time the greater part of the home dessert apples crop will have been marketed.
§ Major H. Legge-BourkeCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether it is a fact that these American apples will be subsidised and, if so, whether we shall in our turn exercise our right under Article 16 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice. Of course, at this time of the year the home dessert apple fetches a very much better price than the American apple, and there is a demand for it.
§ Mr. Gerald NabarroIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the greater part of the Worcestershire apple crop, which is an important contribution in this matter, will not in fact be sold or marketed before these American apples arrive in this country, and will he take steps to prevent a repetition of this dissipation of our hard-won dollar reserves?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeMy hon. Friend will appreciate that this is a contract entered into which, at that time, could not possibly be altered. From previous experience, I do not think that it will have the effect my hon. Friend fears, because imports from continental sources have practically stopped.