HC Deb 08 February 1971 vol 811 cc5-6W
48. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the adverse effects on the United Kingdom horticultural industry in the past, he will give an assurance that, in any future agreements with individual foreign countries involving the importing of a number of crops on a weight basis over a period of time, his Department will insist that the exporting country take up options on all the crops listed in the agreement and that the importing of these crops is phased over the whole period.

Mr. Noble

No. I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to imports of horticultural produce from Eastern Europe of which a wide range are already subject to quantitative and seasonal restrictions. The volume of this trade is extremely small and I do not consider that more elaborate arrangements are called for.