§ 90. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Minister of Food if he will give particulars of his purchase of one million boxes of apples from the United States of America, including the dates for shipment and for release on the markets in this country.
§ Mr. F. WilleyWe have agreed to buy up to 500,000 boxes of dessert apples from the United States of America during the present season. Shipping has so far been arranged to lift some 418,000 boxes during February and early March. The apples, which will be sold on the open market as soon as they are landed, will begin to arrive early in March and the final shipments are due in this country by the end of April. As my right hon. Friend has stated on previous occasions, we are not prepared to disclose the prices paid by the Department for supplies of imported fruit purchased from particular sources.