Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of fruit and vegetables in the Edinburgh area and, in particular, that the expected allocation of oranges has not materialised; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the population of this area shall not continue 234W to be deprived of an adequate supply of vitamin C.
§ Sir B. SmithEdinburgh, with the rest of Scotland, is receiving at least its full share of the fruit and vegetables which are being imported. As regards oranges, Edinburgh will receive a further allocation from a ship which docked at Leith on 15th February and will then have received the same number of allocations as all other parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Minister of Food if he has considered the representations made to him by the Retail Fruit Trade Federation, Fife and Kinross branch, regarding the shortage and unequal distribution of fruit in Scotland and the effect which the shortage is having upon the health of the people in many districts; and what action he is taking in the matter.
§ Sir B. SmithNo representations have yet reached me from Fife and Kinross branch of the Retail Fruit Trade Federation. At the present time practically all the fruit available for distribution is imported by the Government. Of the supplies available, Scotland is receiving slightly more than the average quantity to compensate for its lower home production