§ 42. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the future prospects of the citrus industry in the British Caribbean.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt would be most unwise for a Minister of the Crown—to whichever party he might belong—to predict the future market prospects of any commodity, but in pursuance of the undertaking given by my predecessor in June, 1954, the risks to the West Indian Citrus industry have been independently examined by a Fact Finding Mission whose Report was published as Colonial No. 314. On the basis of this Report, a price assistance scheme has been worked out with the West Indies to safeguard the industry against these risks over the next three years. I am placing in the Library a copy of the Press notice of 7th October which gives the details of this scheme.
§ Mr. RussellCan my right hon. Friend say whether the price assistance scheme has given satisfaction to the Governments and growers in the West Indies?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am delighted to see that Mr. Norman Manley said that it was a very satisfactory agreement.