HC Deb 18 November 1954 vol 533 cc69-70W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that our growers view with alarm the proposed imports of Canadian and United States apples during the month of December, in view of the fact that there is an increased home acreage of apples and a heavy crop this year; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I do not expect the relatively small quantities of North American apples which will be imported in December to affect adversely the market for home grown apples.

Sir A. Bossom

asked the President of the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the dates when foreign imports of fruit and horticultural produce are allowed into this country, to ensure they do not spoil the market for our growers by being sold before our home-grown crops are ready.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

So far as imports from soft currency sources are concerned, this question does not arise since nearly all types of fresh fruit and other horticultural produce are now on open general licence. As regards imports from dollar sources, the amounts we can afford to allow are necessarily so limited that they cannot affect adversely our own growers. In any case, as I informed my hon. Friend on 16th November, our quota restrictions are imposed to safeguard our balance of payments and not for protective purposes.