§ 65. M. Hornbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what official representations he has received from the Federation of the West Indies with regard to the future of the citrus industry; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 74. M. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals are being made by his Department to encourage the citrus industry in the West Indies; what official representations he has received from the West Indies; and if he will make a statement.
§ M. Lennox-BoydBy "official representations" I assume that my hon. Friends are referring to the views expressed in the present discussions with the West Indian delegation now in London. These talks are still in progress 31W and I think it would be better to reserve any statement that I make about them until they have been completed.
§ 67. M. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of citrus farmers in the West Indies Federation; to what extent they have been encouraged by the United Kingdom Government to develop the citrus industry; and what arrangements are contemplated to assure future markets for West Indies citrus products.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am ascertaining the present number of citrus growers, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have the information.
Her Majesty's Government have always welcomed the efforts of the West Indian Governments and British Honduras to develop their citrus industry as part of a policy of diversification. The industry has developed rapidly since the war when there was a general demand for sterling sources of supply; and was helped by a ten-year contract to supply orange juice for the Welfare Scheme in this country. More recently, in 1955, they drew up wtih the West Indies Governments a price assistance scheme for the industry.
In reply to the last part of the Question, this is being discussed in the talks which I have mentioned in reply to earlier Questions.
§ 68 and 69. M. Leatherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will make a statement on the official negotiations now taking place with the Government of the West Indies about the citrus industry;
(2) in view of the need to maintain the stability of the citrus industry of the West Indies, if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will make no proposals to the West Indies citrus industry which would be contrary to previous undertakings to that industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ M. Lennox-BoydI will gladly make a statement when the discussions with the West Indian delegation have been completed. Of course Her Majesty's Government stand by the previous undertakings to The West Indies, but any measures which Her Majesty's Government take to implement them must also be compatible with our long-standing international obligations.
32W
§ 70. M. Chetwyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the development and research schemes set up in the West Indies to develop the citrus industry, what plans are being made by the United Kingdom Government to ensure a market and stable prices for citrus products.
§ M. Lennox-BoydThe existing scheme is the four-year price assistance scheme which terminates this year. At the talks now in progress with a West Indian delegation we are discussing in detail the need for further schemes for research and development. The very difficult question of what degree of price stability for the products can be achieved is also under consideration at these talks.