§ 11. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food the nature of the proposed reductions in imports of canned and fresh fruit from Western Europe; the types of fruit affected by such import reductions; and the total estimated value, in 1952, of the import reductions.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeNo further reductions of these imports are at present proposed over and above those foreshadowed in the Press announcement on 7th November, 1951. The main types of canned and fresh fruit affected are soft fruits, apples, grapes, etc. It is impracticable at this stage to make reliable 689 estimates for the year about reductions and savings on individual items in the import programme.
§ Mr. NabarroWould the right hon. and gallant Friend say what arrangements are in hand by his Department to offset these reductions in imports by an increase in home-produced fruit? What assurance will the Minister of Agriculture be giving to farmers that when they produce more fruit there will be a market for it in this country?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI think there will be no question about a market at this juncture.
§ Mr. NabarroDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that, in the last few years, all efforts for an increased production of fruit at home have been stultified by the effects of dumped fruit imports?