§ 59. Mr. Hurdasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much foreign exchange has been used in the last six months to pay for imports of pears, peaches, pineapples, marrons glacés, caviare and similar luxury food products.
§ Mr. DaltonHis Majesty's Government do not regard fruit as a luxury. Following are the figures regarding the foodstuffs mentioned:
Separate figures are not available for marrons glacés. Forty per cent. of the imports of caviare were re-exported.
Value of recorded imports in second half of 1946 £ Peaches and nectarines … 2,516,956 Pears … 3,558,961 Pineapples … 153,106 Caviare … 37,603