HC Deb 03 February 1954 vol 523 cc52-3W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will restrict the import of foreign apples during the main period of marketing of our home crop, either by prohibition for that time or by imposing a specific duty to prevent the large-scale imports of these foreign apples free of duty at a time when such imports destroy the market for our own farmers.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Under existing arrangements, imports of foreign apples are already restricted for balance of payments reasons during this period. As my hon. Friend is aware, an application has been made by the National Farmers' Unions for the imposition of a duty to protect domestic producers during their marketing season and this application is being considered.