66. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Minister of Food what arrangements have been made for the importation of dates from Tunisia; and from what source the materials are to be supplied for the cartons and cellophane packings for these imports.
§ 82. Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicksasked the Minister of Food why wrappers and containers are not available to producers of home grown fruit and vegetables when his Department is able to make them available to North African date growers.
§ Mr. StracheyDates of Tunisian origin were released from price control on 20th September last and may now be imported by traders under an open general licence. No supplies of packing materials have been made available by my Ministry to the North African date growers (including Tunisia); and the supply position250W of paper and board continues to be so difficult that we cannot hope to allow more yet to producers of home grown fruit and vegetables.
§ 81. Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicksasked the Minister of Food why the retail price of a nine-ounce box of imported dates is 2S. 6d. when the controlled price of imported dates is 6d. per pound.
§ Mr. StracheyThe dates packed in nine-ounce boxes are of African origin which were released from price control on 20th September last. The maximum retail prices of dates subject to control are 9d. per lb. if stoned and 6d. per lb. if unstoned.