§ Mr. Chamberlainasked the Minister of Food what amounts have been paid during each year since 1939 by the Government to firms or organisations in the fruit and vegetable trade whose functions have or had been partly or completely assumed by the Government; for what commodities, respectively, any such figures apply; and what is his future policy in regard to the continuation of such payments.
§ Mr. StracheyThe following table shows the amounts paid by the Government in each completed financial year since the outbreak of war to firms or organisations in the fruit or vegetable trade whose functions have been or had been partly 145W or completely assumed by the Government. The table lists separately the fruit
PAYMENTS TO AGENT FIRMS OR ORGANISATIONS IN THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TRADE WHOSE FUNCTIONS HAVE OR HAD BEEN PARTLY OR WHOLLY ASSUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT YEAR TO 31ST MARCH. Year ended 31st March. Carrots. Citrus Fruit. Apples. Onions. Bananas. Grapes. TOTAL. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1940 … … 582 — — — — — 582 1941 … … 7,077 43,126 — 8,806 — — 59,009 1942 … … 1,142 39,226 109,258 18 — — 149,644 1943 … … — 155,744 240 — — — 155,984 1944 … … — 361,012 31,705 15,012 — — 407,729 1945 … … — 639,267 118,103 63,672 — — 821,042 1946 … … — 712,951 77,048 65,441 15,392 — 870,832 1947 … … — 831,578 386,076 72,755 151,389 7,500 1,449,298 £ 8,801 2,782,904 722,430 225,704 166,781 7,500 3,914,120 In recent months a substantial reduction in the scale of commission payable to first-hand salesmen of citrus fruits and apples has been negotiated. A substantial reduction in the commission payable for services rendered in connection with the handling and distribution of bananas was also effected from 1st January, 1947. The importation of onions and grapes has now reverted to private trade operating under licence.
Where imports of fruit and vegetables continue to be made by the Ministry, former importers and brokers will continue to be used as first-hand distributors and their remuneration will, as hitherto, be kept under review.
In answer to the last part of the Question, the position is that we have for some months been negotiating a substantial reduction in the scales of commission payable to the first-hand salesmen of citrus fruits and apples. The trade has now accepted our proposals which operate for apples from 1st October, 1947, and for citrus fruits from 1st December, 1947. A reduction of 38.5 per cent. in the rate of payment for bananas was effected as from 1st January, 1947, which is only partially reflected in the figures for the year to 31st March, 1947. The importation of onions and of grapes has now reverted to private firms operating under licence, and accordingly commission is no longer payable by my Department. Where imports of these fruits and vegetables continue to be made by this Ministry we propose to continue to employ the former importers and brokers as first-hand distributors keeping their rates of remuneration under review.
146Wand vegetables in respect of which payments were made.