HC Deb 05 July 1956 vol 555 cc133-4W
96. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far arrangements recently concluded for the encouragement of citrus fruit exports from the West Indies to this country are having the desired effect; and how the exports since the arrangements came into effect compare with the figures for the corresponding period in the preceding year.

Mr. Hare

I assume that the hon. Gentleman has in mind the price assistance scheme, a note about which was placed in the Library of the House following my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on the 26th October, 1955.

The main purpose of this scheme is to afford a reasonable stability of price to the grower rather than to encourage a greater volume of exports to the United Kingdom from the territories concerned. It may well have the latter effect as well, but an increase in the volume of exports will depend essentially on increased production from the trees planted in recent years and now coming into bearing.

Full export figures are not yet available for the 1955–56 crop year which would enable a comparison to be drawn with the previous season.