HC Deb 14 May 1930 vol 238 cc1878-9W
Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistical information as to the imports of Italian fruit and vegetables?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I have been asked to reply. Particulars of the imports into, the United Kingdom of fruit and vegetables consigned from Italy during each of the years 1924 to 1928 are given in considerable detail in Volumes II and IV of the latest issue of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom." The corresponding particulars for 1929 have not yet been compiled, but, according to the official trade returns of Italy, the quantities and values of fruit and vegetables (domestic produce) exported from that country to the United Kingdom during 1929 were as follow:

— Quantity Value.
Tons. £
Vegetables, dried (beans, peas and lentils) … … … … 14,069 117,895
Potatoes … … … … … … 125 707
Vegetables fresh … … … … … … 537 8,108
Tomatoes fresh … … … … … … 38 501
Oranges and Mandarines … … … … … … 1,709 847,609
Lemons … … … … … … 50,303
Other citrous fruits … … … … … … 349
Grapes and other fresh fruits … … … … … … 5,313 141,818
Chestnuts … … … … … … 2,312 34,346
Carobs … … … … … … 966 4,734
Pistachio Nuts … … … … … … 41 11,210
Figs dried … … … … … … 10 564,145
Other fruit, dried … … … … … … 5,982
Almonds shelled and unshelled … … … … … … 3,608 (a)
Hazelnuts shelled and unshelled … … … … … … 1,211 (a)
Walnuts … … … … … … 1,140 (a)
Fruit, vegetables and herbs in vinegar, brine or oil … … … 1,186 39,422
Tomatoes, preserved … … … … … … 27,790 647,973
(a) Recorded by quantity only.
NOTE.—Conversions from the original currency into sterling have been made at the approximate par rate of exchange, i.e., 92.46 lire=£1.

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a determined effort is being made by Italian growers, with the assistance of the Italian Government, to capture the English fruit and vegetable market; and whether, with a view to protecting the home market for the English grower, he proposes to take any steps to stop these imports?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as to any special efforts being made either by Italian growers or by the Italian Government in connection with the export of fruit and vegetables from Italy to this country. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.