§ Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has yet reached a decision in regard to the revision of the quotas of imported cauliflowers, in connection with which he received a deputation in June last.
124W
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes. In July last the National Farmers' Union were informed that the arrangements announced in January and March, 1952, would stand. These arrangements are as follows:
- 16th November, 1952, to 15th February, 1953: Open General Licence.
- 16th February to 31st March, 1953: Quota of 7,500 tons.
- 1st April to 30th June, 1953: Quota of 2,500 tons.
- 1st July to 15th November, 1953: No imports.
As announced at the time, the arrangements are subject to review in the light of the supplies available from home production, and will have to be reconsidered when a decision has been taken on the application by the National Farmers' Union for the revision of the tariff on cauliflowers and broccoli.
I hope that the improvements in the arrangements or operating seasonal quotas for horticultural produce, which were also announced last July, will ensure a closer approximation between quotas and actual arrivals.