§ 59. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the rising prices and growing difficulties of the importation of fresh and dried fruit, what steps are being taken to augment the home-grown supply; and what is the estimated total amounts of each to be provided in this country in 1952, as compared with previous years.
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§ Sir T. DugdaleI am not aware that there is an appreciable increase in the price of imported fruits. Imports are being restricted for the present to help the balance of payments. The production of fruit at home cannot be increased at short notice, but the acreage is likely to be higher this year and growers are developing, with every possible help from my Department, modern methods of production, storage and marketing. The supply of home-grown fresh fruit in 1952 will now depend mainly on the weather. The production of dried fruit in this country is negligible.