Mr. J. Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will take action to investigate the current price of apples and pears in the wholesale fruit markets of Great Britain, and in particular in Covent Garden Market, with a view to further study for the introduction of minimum grades for these fruits;
(2) if he will make a study of the practice of other countries concerning the minimum grades of fruit available at primary markets with a view to introducing similar legislation; and if he will publish his findings in a convenient form.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsMy right hon. Friend is kept informed of the wholesale222W prices of apples and pears by marketing officers of the Ministry. Among the proposals we are considering for these fruits in the light of our experience with voluntary grades and the practice of other countries which enforce grading standards is one for the introduction of compulsory minimum grades. My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement in the near future.