HC Deb 03 June 1954 vol 528 cc1432-4
14. Mr. Remnant

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that Commonwealth supplies of apples, prunes, grapefruit and oranges are now sufficient to supply United Kingdom requirements in full.

Mr. Amory

Taking into account price, quality and season as well as volume, I cannot say whether the Commonwealth could meet all the requirements of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Remnant

In view of that somewhat "cagey" reply, will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that no difficulty will be experienced in importing available supplies of these goods from within the Commonwealth?

Mr. Amory

I take it that my hon. Friend means "cautious" by "cagey" in his reference to my reply. I can assure him that all fruits, other than canned apricots, peaches and pears, which are still imported on Government account, can be brought in freely by private traders from the sterling Commonwealth.

Mr. K. Thompson

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that available supplies of these commodities from Commonwealth sources will not be crowded out of the home market by supplies of non-Commonwealth origin?

Mr. Amory

My hon. Friend knows that we are very anxious to do everything we can to encourage Commonwealth trade, but he will remember that Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries have traditionally sent us these fruits.

Mr. Bottomley

Is it not a fact that Commonwealth and Colonial Governments are very disturbed about the present Government's policy, which means that there will be less importation of essential fruits of this kind from Commonwealth countries into this country?

Mr. Amory

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman's fears will not, in fact, be realised.

Mr. Holt

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that he has a duty to the consumer, and will he resist all attempts, from wherever they may come, to limit the choice of the consumer who wants to buy fruit?

Mr. Amory

I hope I shall remember my duty.

15. Mr. Remnant

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what value he has issued import licences for prunes, grapefruit, and oranges from the United States of America; and over what period they can be imported.

Mr. Amory

The value of the licences for imports under the Mutual Security Act for prunes was £1,971,679 c.i.f., for fresh oranges and grapefruit £915,040 c.i.f. and for canned grapefruit £201,875 c.i.f. The licences are valid until 30th June, 1954, 31st October, 1954, and 30th September, 1954, respectively.

Mr. D. Marshall

Is the Minister satisfied that these imports will in no way endanger the citrus fruit industry of British Honduras and the rest of the West Indies?

Mr. Amory

As my hon. Friend knows, this matter has been under discussion with our visitors from the West Indies within the last week or two. I have no doubt that in due course a statement will be made on the matter.

Mr. Bottomley

Are the supplies to this country paid for in sterling? If so, will this sterling be blocked?

Mr. Amory

No doubt the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the M.S.A. supplies. In fact, these supplies amount to a free gift to this country. The produce is paid for in dollars, the dollars are reclaimed and paid back to us, and, therefore, this fruit costs this country neither dollars nor sterling.