Mr. Baker Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, whereas foreign growers now sending their products to Britain are well supplied with materials for the manufacture of high quality wooden and paper-board non-returnable fruit and vegetable containers, British growers are still deprived of these materials; and when he will make supplies available to enable the home grower to compete satisfactorily in packing as well as quality with the foreign producer.
§ Sir S. CrippsI have received complaints regarding the shortage of packing materials but a higher standard of packing could only be adopted for fruit and vegetables at the expense of other essential requirements. There is at present a serious shortage of these materials, although every effort is being made to increase supplies generally. A higher standard of packing will be allowed as soon as supplies permit.