§ 81. Mr. D. Marshallasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Cornish broccoli growers are being hurt by foreign imports; and what immediate action he proposes to take to assist them in this respect.
§ Mr. WebbThere is no glut of cauliflower and broccoli. Prices to the housewife have only recently come down from the very high scarcity levels of this winter which made it necessary to import these vegetables. As the hon. Member will know, the open general licence for cauliflower and broccoli is being suspended between 16th March and 15th November while the main home crop is being marketed, and I have no information that this arrangement will not protect the legitimate interests of home growers. I am assured that none of the Cornish crop has been wasted for lack of a market and that the growers have had a good season.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, owing to the glut of foreign broccoli in British markets, Cornish broccoli is not making enough to pay the carriage to London; and what action he proposes to take to help the British growers.
§ Mr. WebbI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall) today.