Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider introducing legislation to protect and assist the growers and producers of plums in this country, with a view to permitting them to obtain a reasonable margin of profit?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI have been asked to reply. Growers of plums already enjoy the benefit of a duty on imports of id. per lb. equivalent to about 23 per cent.ad valorem, during the English season. As regards the marketing of home supplies, my right hon. Friend wishes me to remind my hon. Friend that it is for producers themselves to consider, in the first instance, whether they wish to avail themselves of the statutory facilities for organisation at present at the disposal of their industry.