§ 1. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the fact that, despite the quota for imports of Italian apples having amounted to £ 3 million, in both 1955 and 1956, and despite prices having been high in the period January to June, 1956, to which £2½ million worth of the quota applied, approximately 278,000 hundredweight more applies were imported in 1956 than in 1955; and what steps he is taking to ensure that a further increase does not take place this year to the unfair disadvantage of the home producers.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Sir David Eccles)The quota of £ 3 million, of which £ 2½ million is for the period January to June, permits imports from a number of countries besides Italy. 1314 The quota was more fully used in 1956 than in 1955 being taken up as to about 95 per cent. Imports from Italy were a larger proportion of the total. The present quota is the same as for last season.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIs the quota always to remain the same, regardless of the size of the home crop? Secondly, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility, which I raised on the Customs (Dumping) Bill, of importers allowing into this country rather more than the quota and paying for the extra through items which are not under quota at all?
§ Sir D. EcclesI have not yet considered the quota for next year. I am willing to consider the second point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend.
Mr. T. WilliamsCan the President give the House any estimate of the quantity or volume of home-grown apples available for sale now?
§ Sir D. EcclesNo, Sir.