Sir B. EYRES MONSELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the severity of the foreign competition 1163W which Evesham growers of asparagus have to face, he will consider setting up a marketing scheme in respect of this product or assist by way of a grant the experimental marketing scheme of the Littleton and Badsey Asparagus Growers' Association?
Mr. BUXTONMy Department is now investigating the marketing of vegetables. On the completion of the investigation, the results will be published in the1164W Economic Series of Marketing Reports, and it will then be possible to consider what steps can be taken to assist in the marketing of vegetables, including asparagus. In the meantime, the Littleton and Badsey Growers Limited have started an experiment in marketing graded asparagus in non-returnable packages, and my Department has offered a grant towards the cost of this experiment from funds made available by the Empire Marketing Board.