§ 49. Mr. JackTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the growing in Great Britain of previously imported fruit and vegetables.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWe are broadly holding our share of the market of those fruit and vegetables that can be grown in this country. Home production of some crops has increased, but this has been more than matched by increased demand. Our climate and the limited length of our growing season makes us inevitably reliant on some imports, but new cultural techniques are being introduced which, combined with improved storage facilities should help extend our supply season.