HC Deb 02 April 1947 vol 435 cc309-10W
59. Mr. Shawcross

asked 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. Summerskill

My 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 is 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

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