HC Deb 27 July 1959 vol 610 c7W
Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the orange juice supplied for the welfare foods scheme is imported from the West Indies; and what is the difference in the vitamin C content of this juice as compared with that included in the welfare scheme from other sources.

Mr. John Hare

The percentage of total supplies of concentrated orange juice for the Welfare Foods Service obtained from the West Indies during 1954–59 was as follows:

Crop Year (June-May) Percentage
1954–55 3
1955–56 10
1956–57 16
1957–58 26
1958–59 18*
* 26 per cent. including British Honduras.

The vitamin C content of West Indies orange juice is generally as high as, or higher than, that of juice obtained from most other sources.