§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has considered the complaints of fruit merchants' associations on the North-East Coast, representing the wholesale and retail sections of the trade, that last year they did not receive a fair proportion of the national supplies of tomatoes and soft fruits; and whether, as climatic conditions prevent the production of local supplies of these, more ade- 859W quate quantities will be consigned to this area in future?
§ Mr. MabaneA distribution scheme for tomatoes which has statutory force started to operate on 31st May. The scheme is intended to ensure that all parts of the country, including North-Eastern districts, will receive in the course of the season supplies of. tomatoes in proportion to the size of the local population. The soft fruit crop is too small in total for even distribution throughout the country. As much as possible is being pre-empted for jam to be sold on the ration.