HC Deb 06 November 1946 vol 428 c253W
80. Colonel Ponsonby

asked the Minister of Food, whether, in view of his announced intention of purchasing considerable quantities of canned fruit in the U.S.A., he will ascertain that all available supplies of canned fruit from the Dominions and Colonies are obtained before dollar exchange is utilised for this purpose and also safeguard the principle of imperial preference in any price contracts for the purchase of canned fruit into which he may enter.

Mr. Strachey

In general I shall buy canned fruit in the cheapest market but I shall have to take account of the fact that our supply of dollars and other foreign currencies is limited. There has been no change in the preferential rates of duty applicable to imports from Empire countries.