§ 28. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Food what import restrictions he has placed on the import of tomatoes; and to what extent prices have been increased because of his action.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am sending the hon. Member a copy of a joint announcement by my Department and the Agricultural Departments issued on 19th January last giving details of the restrictions on imports of tomatoes during 1952. It is not possible to estimate what prices would have been without these restrictions.
§ Mrs. MannIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, since these restrictions were imposed, in Glasgow market housewives have had to pay much more, particularly for tomatoes, and will he bear in mind that housewives are bearing a very great burden just now?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe fact is that this particular commodity is subject to violent fluctuations in price according to the output. The price in the first two weeks in July was 4s. 6d. per 12 lb. less than it was last year, and also less than it was the year before. That is because we had a very hot spell and tomatoes came forward at a very great rate, and prices dropped enormously.