HC Deb 30 June 1947 vol 439 cc112-3W
93. Mr. Baker White

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has made for the temporary cold storage of the 1947 home fruit crop.

Dr. Summerskill

The quantities of soft fruits, plums and pears likely to be available this year will be too small to make exceptional measures necessary to have them kept commercially for sale as fresh fruit during the winter months. However, the indications are that the apple crop will be a heavy one. Facilities for storing apples by gas and cold already exist and we have invited growers and distributors to make full use of the cold storage space at the Ministry's disposal so as to prolong the period of marketing of the winter varieties.

Dr. Haden Guest

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made to supply home-grown fruit, fresh, bottled or canned, during the winter of 1947–48; and what he estimates will be the supplies available.

Mr. Strachey

So far as fresh fruit is concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Baker White). Arrangements have also been made to can and bottle as much homegrown fruit as possible, and if necessary we hope to get more jam made; but it is too early yet to estimate the quantity which it will be possible to preserve in these forms. I expect, however, that it will be substantially more than was packed during the last four years.