§ 25. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why 3,000 tons of frozen brussels sprouts were permitted to be imported from South Africa in or about the month of March, 1971, when the home crop was so plentiful that it could not all be sold.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartDetailed statistics for March are not available and I cannot comment on the figure mentioned. Imports of frozen brussels sprouts from South Africa are not subject to quantitative restrictions.
§ Sir D. RentonIs my hon. Friend aware that it is very frustrating for our home growers to produce a fine crop of fresh vegetables only to find that they cannot sell them at a reasonable price because of imported produce coming in at just the wrong time of year? Will my hon. Friend bear in mind what has happened this season in regard to brussels sprouts with a view to action being taken in the future?
§ Mr. StodartI sympathise with those who have produced a very big crop of brussels sprouts. I cannot substantiate the figure which has been quoted by my right hon. and learned Friend, which is over twice as high as any figure for such imports over a whole 12-month period.