59. Mr. Shawcrossasked the Minister of Food for what reason were fresh fruits and vegetables imported from the U.S.A. during the three months ended 28th February, 1947, at a total cost of £2,503,325; of what kinds were they; and what were the quantities and cost of each.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend's policy towards the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables was defined in the statement he made in the House on 24th October last, when he explained that we wanted practically all the fruits which overseas countries could send us. He is310W now reconsidering the system of purchase in order to exercise a closer control over such importations.
As the detailed information for which my hon. Friend asks contains a long table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following are the figures:
Commodity. cwts. £ Apples 275,548 596,960 Oranges (tangerines) 6,665 28,324 Grapes 33,056 351,226 Grapes (hothouse) — 3 Grapefruit 56 153 Pears 367,527 1,426,618 Pineapples 1,394 6,464 Melons 115 533 Strawberries 2 52 Bananas 1 2 Fruit (unenumerated) 798 8,718 Onions 34,453 32,424 Potatoes (other than new) 8 2 Turnips 2 2 Vegetables (not elsewhere specified). 9 11 Nuts (used as fruit) — 4 Nuts (unenumerated) 10,819 51,830 730,453 2,503,326