§ 18. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that at the beginning of September Outspan oranges were being sold to the wholesale market at 17s. per 112/125 case, and that by 19th October the same cases were being sold at 32s. to 33s. per case; and, as this is a controlled market, what action he proposes to take to secure a reduction in these prices.
§ Mr. HoyThe wholesale price has risen due to a seasonal shortage of supplies which should ease when the Mediterranean season gets fully under way later88W this month. We recognise that increases in price may be unavoidable because of increases in the cost of imports or of changes in supply for seasonal reasons.