HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 cc177-9
14. Mr. Leather

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he received from West Indian Governments regarding the recent further liberalisation of United States canned citrus imports into the United Kingdom.

15. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from Governments and organisations of citrus growers in the West Indies about the further removal of restrictions on imports of United States canned citrus into the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alport

My right hon. Friend has not received any representations from West Indian Governments or organisations on this matter.

Mr. Leather

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it was only last week that the House authorised large sums of money to be paid to an international development authority and that it was my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House who coined the phrase "trade not aid"? Does he not think it highly undesirable that at the same time as we are doing this we are deliberately taking action which we know will undermine the economy of an important industry in a Commonwealth Territory?

Mr. Alport

We are not deliberately taking action which we know will undermine this industry. We are most anxious to foster the industry, because we realise its importance to the West Indies Federation. Any action which we have taken has been taken in accordance with international obligations which we thought it was necessary and proper to fulfil.

Mr. Russell

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that no international obligation obliges us to surrender the preference which we already have? Is not this due only to relentless pressure by the United States Government, who appear to want to drive the West Indies production out of the market in order to export their own?

Mr. Alport

I do not think that that is entirely borne out by the development which has taken place since. For instance, the quantity of dollar canned orange and grapefruit juice which was imported into this country between October and January totalled only £510 in value. At present, at any rate, I do not think that it will make a substantial difference to the normal trade between the West Indies and the United Kingdom, although I assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary will watch very carefully any longer-term effects this may have.

Mr. Leather

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that this change will eliminate or very nearly eliminate the import into this country of canned lemon juice from the whole of the West Indies. Is he not aware that all the producers in those territories are gravely alarmed?

Mr. Alport

I am aware that it may make a difference to the export of canned lemon juice, but only a very insubstantial amount has so far been forthcoming from the United States, and I can assure my hon. Friend that if there is any sign of any greater impact, my right hon. Friend will reconsider the position.

16. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that surplus citrus fruit is being buried in a trench at Chaguaramas, Trinidad, and is rotting on the ground in other parts of the island; what steps he proposes to take to find more markets for this crop; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alport

Local newspapers report that grapefruit grown within the United States base at Chaguaramas has been buried because the Trinidad Government were not willing to permit the fruit to be processed by the Citrus Growers' Association or to be given to local charitable institutions. Other local reports state that because of the very heavy crop and the remoteness of some of the plantations, grapefruit is rotting in some areas. Trinidad citrus fruit can be freely imported into the United Kingdom. It is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to interfere with the established marketing arrangements.

Mr. Russell

While deploring the attitude of the Trinidad Government in not accepting this American offer, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he does not agree that it is wrong that we should not try to find more markets for surplus Trinidad food? Does he not agree that we should not leave their producers to be victims of American competition?

Mr. Alport

We are extremely anxious to help in any way that we can, but the root cause of the present difficulty with Trinidad grapefruit is that—for the time being at any rate—there has been a substantial glut of supplies.