HC Deb 20 March 1950 vol 472 c82W
36. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Food how many of the further 1,000,000 boxes of gift apples sent to this country by the fruit growers of British Columbia have been distributed entirely free to school children; at what price have the remainder been sold to the public; what were the freight charges incurred; and what profit or loss has resulted.

Mr. Webb

The shipments are only just beginning to arrive, but I am happy to say that 500 cases have already been distributed to schools and children's homes in South-East London. The apples that are not given to the children will be sold on the same terms as other imported apples and the prices realised will, of course, depend on their condition. We expect that freight charges and handling costs will amount to about 12s. 6d. a box, which is more than half the Ministry's selling price, but I cannot say what the financial result will be until all the apples have been distributed.

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