§ Mr. Douglasasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that eating apples are being held off the market in order to obtain a higher price at a later date; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
736W
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. It is a normal practice for growers to store part of the apple crop for marketing after Christmas at prices higher than those ruling in the Autumn. The higher prices reflect not only the greater scarcity of English apples late in the season, but also the cost of storage. The Home Grown Apples (Maximum Prices) Order, 1942, recognises this and provides for an increase in prices in December and again in February. The storage of a part of the crop is regarded as desirable in order that the apples may be marketed at a time in the year when, in the absence of imports, very little other fruit is available.