HC Deb 25 November 1957 vol 578 cc800-1
39. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the imports of oranges, exclusive of clementines, mandarines and tangerines, in the past 12 months as compared with the previous two years.

Mr. Amory

There were 330,653 tons of oranges imported in the 12 months October, 1956—September, 1957, valued at £20,389,000. The comparable figures for 1954–55 were 362,674 tons and £18,474,367 and for 1955–56 341,190 tons and £18,006,473.

Dr. Stross

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the figures he has given. Has he any explanation of why the import of oranges is falling or has fallen in this last year? Further, is he aware that it is possible to judge the prosperity of a country by the amount of citrus fruits it consumes, as well as to estimate how it will help itself to avert ill-health?

Mr. Amory

I think that the only two pieces of information I can give the hon. Gentleman straight away are these. Spanish supplies were seriously interfered with by serious frost in Spain last year, and the somewhat smaller supplies available have been, therefore, more eagerly competed for among some of the countries of Western Europe. The supplies seem to have gone there at prices somewhat higher than the consumer is willing to pay in this country.