63. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the recent increased imports of fruit pulp authorised by his Department are being used by processers in an attempt to compel home fruit-growers to accept uneconomic prices; and whether, in view of the altered circumstances, he will now cancel the recent increase in imported pulp and forthwith ban all imports of pulp until the home crop is absorbed by processers.
§ Mr. H. StraussThe answer to both parts of the Question is No. These imports will be restricted on account of our balance of payments, but it would not be right to use import licensing powers to ban imports for the purpose suggested.
§ 65. Mr. Cooper-Keyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he consulted the Minister of Agriculture before granting permits for increased quantities of strawberries and fruit pulp to be imported this season.
§ Mr. H. StraussThe Board of Trade consulted the Ministry of Agriculture about the total permitted imports of strawberries for the period from June to December, 1952, in order to make sure that the total was not so large as to require special seasonal restrictions such as were in force during June and July, 1951. We did not consult the Ministry about the additional licences for imports of fruit pulp for the period ending 30th June, 1952, since these imports were being restricted on account of our balance of payments and the total licences issued, including the additional licences, were less in value than in the corresponding period of the previous year.