35 Mr. C. Hoyleasked the President of tire Board of Trade what proportion of the citrus imports into the United Kingdom, for the two years to the latest convenient date, came from the Union of South Africa and the British West 222 Indies, respectively; and what contracts have been made for such imports from these two areas for the period 1960–62.
§ Mr. ErrollThe proportions by value of the total imports of citrus fruits, fresh and preserved, and citrus fruit juices during the two years ending April, 1960, from the Union of South Africa and the British West Indies were, respectively, 20.2 per cent, and 4.8 per cent. Contracts, other than those made by Her Majesty's Government for concentrated orange juice for the Welfare Foods Service, are the subject of commercial negotions about which I can give no information. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that contracts have been made covering imports of concentrated orange juice during 1960 but not yet for any subsequent years.
Mr. RoyleIn view of the things said in yesterday's debate and the general attitude of the British public towards the Union of South Africa, will not the right hon. Gentleman do more to encourage imports from a part of the Commonwealth which has proved that a multi-racial society can exist very successfully and so help the West Indies in a way in which that is not being done at the moment?
§ Mr. ErrollThe import of citrus fruits from the two areas in question are matters for private commercial arrangements.