§ Sir J. DuncanAsked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of tomatoes consumed in this country in 1953 and 1958, respectively, were home-produced and imported.
§ Mr. John HareOf the estimated United Kingdom supplies of tomatoes in the calendar years 1953 and 1958 the proportions of home produce and imports are as follows:
— 1953 1958 Per cent. Per cent. U. K. Crops 40 36 Imports from the Channel Islands and Commonwealth 21 20 Dutiable Imports 39 44 Dutch 6 11 Others 33 33 The figures for May/October, the period when home supplies are on the market in significant quantities, are as follows:—
— May/Oct. 1953 May/Oct. 1958 Per cent. Per cent. U.K. Crops 56 50 Imports from the Channel Islands and Commonwealth 28 27 Dutiable Imports 16 23 Dutch 8 15 Others 8 8 As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware we had a poor crop of tomatoes last year owing to the bad weather.
§ Sir J. Duncanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his estimate of the increased costs of production to the tomato producers in this country between 1953 and 1958, and the comparable increased costs of production in each of the principal countries of Europe which compete in the British market with British tomato producers.
§ Mr. John HareI regret that it is not possible from the statistical information available to give an accurate assessment252W of increases in costs of tomato production on a comparable basis here and abroad.