HC Deb 24 November 1954 vol 533 cc127-8W
59. Mrs. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a minimum price is fixed in Cyprus for raisins, but not for grapes; and whether he is aware of the hardship resulting to peasant growers from the low prices paid for this season's grape harvest.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Cyprus Government have not sufficient storage space to enable them to extend to fresh grapes the arrangements whereby they buy raisins at a fixed price. I understand that only about one-eighth of this year's vintage is being offered for sale as fresh grapes, the balance being converted to raisins or grape alcohol, the prices of which are such as to offset very largely any hardship caused by the present level of prices for fresh grapes.

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