§ 39. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the increased cost of fresh vegetables, grown in this country, caused by the 50 per cent. deposit charge on imported packaging material.
§ Mr. HoyThe effect of the import deposits scheme cannot be assessed separately from other factors affecting the cost of imported packaging materials and the cost of fresh vegetables.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that this deposit scheme has put 5 per cent. on the cost of sprout nets, containers and boxes and that that places our growers at a serious disadvantage compared with importers of vegetables? When he talks of a £160 million expansion, what is the point if the Government price our growers out of the home market? Will he reconsider exempting these items?
§ Mr. HoyI would not like to confirm the hon. Gentleman's figure. My information is that any effect that the scheme might have on prices would be negligible.