§ 39. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Midland Area Committee of the Retail Fruit Trade Federation has complained to his Department concerning the weights of Italian apples; that these packs are marked one bushel which is accepted by the trade as 40 lb., but in few cases exceed 37 lb. weight of fruit; and what reply has been sent to the Midland Area Committee.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply sent by my Department to the Committee.
§ Miss BurtonI think I have heard what is in that letter and it will be helpful, but is the Minister aware that at a recent meeting of Birmingham wholesalers and retailers they complained of short weight in the sacks of Canary potatoes and of Spanish apricots and plums? Is the Minister further aware that evidence was submitted showing that the 72 lb. sacks of potatoes weighed only 60 lb.? Can he also deal with that matter?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI will certainly look into the matter, but the difficulty is that the bushel is a unit of measure, and with very large apples one could get a very substantial shortage in weight. My information is that the apples are marked in bushels and not in weight. I will look into the other question raised.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that Worcestershire is in the Midlands, and would he deprecate the habit of buying Italian apples and buy British instead?