§ 41. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Turkey has imported from Britain in the last 10 months seven times more than Britain has imported from Turkey; and if he will consider purchasing more of the available currants and raisins.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that Turkey's imports from the United Kingdom greatly exceeds her exports to us. I have already bought a quantity of raisins from the 1952 Turkish crop and expect to buy more, subject to agreement on price and quality. So far as I am aware, no currants are available for export from Turkey.
§ Colonel Stoddart-ScottCould my right hon. and gallant Friend say why, when there is such a satisfactory trading position with Turkey, we should not have an abundance of currants and raisins in this country, as they have some surplus at the moment?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeIn my answer I pointed out that so far as I am aware there are no currants available for export. We have obtained raisins from them.
§ Major BeamishIs the Minister aware that the Turks have a considerable quantity of coarse grains available, I believe 1097 considerably in excess of one million tons at the moment? Provided that a satisfactory price can be negotiated can we have the Minister's assurance that he will do everything possible to make some kind of long-term contract with them?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI will, but the fact is that they are asking a very high price at the moment—beyond the world price—which I am not prepared to pay.