§ 25. Mr. John Fraserasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether his Department will assist overseas governments in finding markets for their agricupltural produce in Great Britain and Europe.
§ Mr. OramYes, Sir. Advice on the marketing of cash crops is given by the Tropical Products Institute. Marketing problems will feature, for instance, at a Conference on Tropical and Sub-Tropical Fruits to be held by the Institute next September, at which the delegates will include fruit producers from developing countries and importers from Europe and Britain.
§ Mr. FraserWill administrative machinery be available for providing this advice to cash crop producers in the countries concerned?
§ Mr. OramAs I said in answer to an earlier question, the Tropical Products Institute is very much concerned with getting the result of its researches to the Governments. Indeed, this is its main purpose in life, so my hon. Friend can be assured on this point.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisDoes not the Minister think that Question No. 25 is slightly contradictory to Question No. 24? Would not it be better for the countries themselves to use their food surpluses rather than that they should be encouraged to send them to this country to the detriment of our farmers and of this country's import bill?