§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Minister of Food whether the result of re-imposing control on dried fruits other than Californian dried fruits has been to raise the retail price of dried fruits from 1s. to 1s. 2d. per lb.; and whether he will now remove this control; and whether he has received any representations on this matter from the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe maximum retail price of dried fruits other than Californian dried fruits vary from 8d. per lb. to 1s. 6d. per lb. These prices are in excess of the maxima fixed for similar dried fruits imported prior to the 1919 season, the increase being due to a considerable advance in the cost of production in the countries of origin. Control will be removed from dried fruits as soon as existing stocks have been disposed of, provided that arrangements can be made to safeguard the interests of the consumer. The Co-operative Wholesale Society, Limited, are represented on the Dried Fruit Trade Advisory Committee, and their representative takes part in all discussions on matters affecting the trade. Apart from this no representations with regard to the control of dried fruits have been received from the society.