§ Sir T. Mooreasked the President of the Board of Trade what principles are applied in deciding what imports can, and what imports cannot, be permitted into this country from the United States of America; for what reason, in particular, it has been decided that no apples can be imported into Great Britain from that country during the forthcoming winter; and what representations he has received from trading organisations in that connection.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftIt is necessary to use to the best advantage our limited dollar resources, including the assistance being granted to this country by the United States under the Mutual Security Act. In deciding what imports we can afford from the dollar area, the main general consideration is how far such imports are essential, or of material benefit, to the United Kingdom economy. It has been decided that we cannot afford imports of apples from North America during the forthcoming winter. Representations on this subject have been received from several trading organisations.