§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will announce, after consultation with expert representatives of the growers, before 1st March, the prices to be paid to the producer for strawberries; and whether he will this year take into account the varying dates of ripening and picking in the different districts and the cost of production per pound under present conditions?
§ Mr. MabaneIt would not be possible by the date suggested by my hon. Friend to determine prices which could be reasonably supposed to hold a proper balance between the interests of growers and the interests of consumers. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."