§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the home yield of apples, pears and plums will be 60 per cent. down on the normal harvest; in view of fresh evidence of the shortfall of 274W supplies and fruit having the effect of heavy increases in retail prices of fruit during the summer and autumn, what action he proposes to take to see that prices do not rise; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyQuantitative forecasts are not yet available but the prospects for pears and for dessert apples other than Cox's Orange Pippin are now somewhat better than they were a month ago. The prospects for plums and cooking apples are poor. The retail prices of fresh fruit of all kinds are bound to reflect seasonal variations in available supplies.