§ 47. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the marked increase in the weight of imported canned fruits into this country, particularly in the last year, and of the consequential decrease in the employment in the industry in Scotland; 1509 and what steps he proposes to take to protect the interests of persons employed in this industry.
§ Mr. MaudlingLess canned fruit was imported in 1959 than in the previous year. I see no cause for special action.
§ Mr. RankinThat is an astonishing Answer. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statistics published by his Department show that 5.7 thousand long tons of fruit were imported in 1958 and 9.7 thousand long tons in 1959? If he calls that a reduction, of course I do not. Is it not absurd that we should be sitting passively allowing factories to close down and produce unemployment while he is seeking to create new factories in Scotland to avoid unemployment? Scotland is already suffering too severely.
§ Mr. MaudlingThere seems to be some statistical misunderstanding, but my information is that, taking canned fruit from all sources, imports in 1958 were about 6 million cwts. and in 1959 5.5 million cwts., which is quite a big fall.
§ Mr. Rankinrose—
§ Mr. RankinThis affects Scotland—
§ Mr. SpeakerWhether it affects Scotland or no, the hon. Member must put his comment in the form of a question.
§ Mr. RankinMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to look into this matter seriously to see what he can do to prevent these factories closing down?
§ Mr. MaudlingI shall certainly look into the published figures to see if there is any reason why this confusion should have arisen.