§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action she has taken or proposes to take to reduce the price of tomatoes, in view of the fact that, as a result of the refusal of Canary Island producers to pay higher Common Market import duties, the price of tomatoes rose in the week ended 13th March by 10p per lb. to 40p per lb, and is expected to rise to 60p per lb.
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§ Mr. StrangI have been asked to reply.
Import duties on Canary Island tomatoes this March are 40 per cent. lower than last year, but tomato prices inevitably fluctuate with supply and demand. Distributors' margins are limited by the Price Code and I have no reason to believe that those on tomatoes are excessive.