§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the refusal of the Government to accept the subsidy available in connection with the exports of citrus fruit from the United States of America has placed fresh fruit importers in a difficult position in comparison with their competitors in other Western European countries; and whether in the circumstances he will reconsider his decision.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe difficulty is due primarily to the sharp rise in United States citrus fruit prices caused by the heavy Continental demand resulting from the damage done to the Spanish orange crop. The decision not to accept the United States subsidy on the present purchase of citrus fruits was taken in the interests of colonial producers, and I see no occasion to reconsider it.
§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Food to what extent his refusal to accept the available subsidy will raise the price to the public of the fresh citrus fruit to be imported from the United States of America; and how this price will now compare with the price of oranges imported from other sources.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe export subsidy paid by the United States Government on citrus fruit is equivalent to about ld. per lb. But there has been a sharp rise in the United States prices of these fruits, and I cannot say at what prices118W such American citrus fruits as are imported under these arrangements will be sold here, nor how those prices will compare with those charged for similar fruits imported from other sources.