Fruit and Nuts (Hansard, 15 November 1956)

§ 22. Mr. R. Edwards
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the extent to which the imports of nuts and dates to this country will be affected by the shortage of shipping as a result of the closing of the Suez Canal.

§ 28. Mr. Beswick
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he estimates that the import of tinned fruit will be affected by the emergency in the Middle East.

§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)
It is not anticipated that imports of these foods will be materially affected.

§ Mr. Beswick
When the Parliamentary Secretary says that these imports will not be affected, does he mean that there is going to be a continued importation for the next three months so that we shall have sufficient stocks to last us over the next three months, and, if that is so, will he say what the effect will be when the present stocks have been exhausted? Can we expect to pay higher prices?

§ Mr. Nicholls
I said that stocks would not be materially affected. The position is that up to Christmas and beyond we have sufficient stocks to carry us over the period. Normally, the restocking of these foodstuffs does not take place until after Christmas.

§ Mr. M. Lindsay
Does not my hon. Friend consider it rather a coincidence that the following twelve Questions on the Paper in the names of hon. Members opposite all refer to variations of the same subject?

§ 29. Mr. Beswick
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he estimates that the importation of oranges and citrus fruits will be affected by the closure of the Suez Canal, the shortage of shipping, and other difficulties in the supply areas of the Mediteranean.

§ Mr. H. Nicholls
Our imports of citrus fruits do not come through the Suez Canal, and its closure will not affect our supplies. My right hon. Friend the 1118 Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation is not aware of any shortage of shipping for citrus fruit in the Mediterranean area. But, quite apart from and distinct from the closure of the Suez Canal, the abnormal frosts suffered by Spain last February will inevitably seriously reduce our own and Europe's supplies of oranges this winter.

§ Mr. Beswick
Whilst appreciating that this commodity does not come through the Suez Canal, it is going to be affected by the general shortage of shipping. Can the hon. Gentleman give us an answer to the Question which has already been put, namely, will he see to it that no private interests will exploit the present situation and charge higher prices which are not justified on the short-term?

§ Mr. Nicholls
It is the supply position which will decide that. As I have said, for all practical purposes the imports of oranges and citrus fruits are not made through the Suez Canal. If it will give the hon. Gentleman any satisfaction, I can tell him that there is not likely to be any shortage of lemons.

§ 30. Mr. Beswick
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the import of dried fruits will be adequate to meet the demand over the next few months.

§ Mr. H. Nicholls
Yes, Sir.

§ Mr. Beswick
While appreciating the irritation of hon. Gentlemen opposite—

§ Mr. Nabarro
I am not irritated.

§ Mr. Stokes
The policeman was.

§ Mr. Beswick
—at the result of their tragic action in the Middle East, may I again ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether what he is saying as to the effect on these commodities is to be delayed for some two or three months while we use up the present stocks; and will he give an assurance that present stocks will not be sold at prices higher than is justified by the present position?

§ Mr. Nicholls
At this moment, we cannot see that there is likely to be any change in what would have been the case if the happenings of the last fortnight had not taken place. But if what the hon. Gentleman said in the words 1119 he used at the beginning of his supplementary question does arouse concern. in considering the whole situation he should try to estimate what would have been the effect if the steps taken by the Prime Minister had not been taken.