§ Mr. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Food what quantities of tinned beetroot have been imported during the current 198W year; from which countries; and at what cost.
§ Mr. StracheyCanned beetroot is not separately classified in the returns of imports of canned vegetables supplied by His Majesty's Customs and Excise and there is no other source of information. Consequently it is not possible to state the quantities and countries of origin of any which have been imported this year. It can be imported either under the token import scheme, in which case the quantities are likely to be negligible, or under specific import licence. Only one such licence has so far been issued this year—for 58¾ tons from Australia, value £4,171 c.i.f. United Kingdom for June-July shipment under our bilateral trade agreement.