HC Deb 10 April 1956 vol 551 cc12-3
16. Sir. D. Robertson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if will now amend the allocation of import licences for Italian pears to include canners who are compelled to pay pre-1939 importers, some of whom only handle documents, a profit of 3d. a lb. because of scarcity created by import restrictions.

Mr. Low

No, Sir. Licences to import fresh pears from Italy are issued to traders, who did so in 1951 when imports were unrestricted. Imports of pears and of all other fresh fruits from the sterling area are unrestricted as are imports of all fresh fruits except pears and apples from Western Europe.

Sir D. Robertson

Is it not the case that the vast majority of people on this import allocation list are those who were in business before 1939? Is it not also the case that the licences are being trafficked in by firms which are no longer in business selling them at a profit?

Mr. Low

I am not aware of any case of that kind. If my hon. Friend likes to bring to my notice anything that he thinks is irregular, I will gladly look into it.

Mr. Holt

Would not the Minister agree that this Question reveals a ridiculous state of affairs? Why does he not do the obvious and simple thing—put these commodities on open general licence?

Mr. Low

Because of our balance of payments position, as the hon. Gentleman and the House well know.