Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take immediate steps to inform the plum growers throughout the country of the action the Government intend to take to prevent the bottom falling out of the market, in view of the heavy crop of plums throughout the country, and to ensure that plum growers may obtain a fair return for the labour and capital involved and not be compelled to realise their crops at ruinous prices?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithPlum growers already enjoy the benefit of a substantial import duty of 1d. per lb. during the English plum season. In any event, owing to the very poor crops of plums in 1938, it is reasonable to anticipate that, for the purpose of replenishing stocks of jam and canned plums and reserves of pulped plums, there will be a good commercial demand for plums this season. Such an improved demand should be a material factor in mitigating the effect of a heavy crop upon price levels.