§ Sir A. Bossomasked the President of the Board of Trade why the quota for imported apples and pears has been increased for the period 1st July to 31st December, 1954, compared with the same period last year.
Mr. AmoryThe quotas for imports of apples and pears in both the first and second halves of this year were increased as one part of our relaxation of the176W restrictions on imports from Western Europe. Owing to our balance of payments position, this relaxation could not in all cases take the form of complete removal of quantitative restrictions but in view of the importance of this trade to some of our fellow members of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation, we decided that the right course was to increase the quotas for these fruits.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give consideration to amending helpfully to home producers the tariff on imported apples and pears for the year 1955.
Mr. AmoryThe application referred to in the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on 3rd February is still being considered, and I cannot anticipate the result.