§ Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that Australian and Tasmanian apples are now 313W available for shipment to this country, any arrangements have been made to purchase the apples from these sources and in what quantity; and what arrangements will be made to procure the necessary shipping space.
§ Mr. StracheyArrangements have been made for the purchase from Australia and New Zealand of the whole of the available surplus of apples, amounting to a total of some 46,000 tons. At the time when these arrangements were made, there was every prospect that sufficient refrigerated tonnage would be available for shipping the fruit during March, April and May this year. Owing, however, to difficulties in meat shipments which arose in the early part of the year through strikes in Argentina and the Southern Dominions, this tonnage has had to be diverted for the transport of meat which must take priority over fruit. No transport was available for shipments of apples during March and none will be available in April. The position for May is I fear still uncertain, but every effort will be made to get shipping.