§ 10. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that his Department's Report on the production and marketing of home-grown carrots reveals that 80 per cent. of the supplies marketed were below the recommended grading standard; that, largely because of better quality and grading, Dutch carrots were sold here at average prices nearly double those obtained for home-grown supplies; and if he will assist growers to improve grading and quality and find other outlets for sub-standard produce.
Mr. AmoryFour-fifths of the consignments inspected were below the recommended grades but many could have been brought up to grade by removing a small proportion of the carrots. My Department is always ready to help growers with advice on quality and grading. An alternative use for sub-standard carrots is stock feeding and I have no reason to think that any further outlet is necessary.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister aware that a great deal of that waste could have been saved by pre-packaging and processing? Is he further aware that this valuable report refutes the suggestion which is often made that the poor prices to home growers are the direct result of imports. Also, on behalf of the housewife, will he bear this important factor in mind when any future question of tariffs arises?
Mr. AmoryI could not follow the whole argument of the hon. Member, but I agree with the first part of his supplementary question that, with a little more care in grading, we could have a higher proportion of first grade carrots.