asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the existence of dirty and insanitary conditions prevailing in the transport, handling and packing of dried fruit at Smyrna, Anatolia, and to the rates of wages and conditions of labour of the workpeople employed, and whether he will make inquiry to determine what action, through the consular service or otherwise, is required to protect the consumer against dirt contamination and the Dominions fruit grower against unfair competition?

This matter has engaged the attention of the Ministry of Health and my Department very fully for some considerable time, and I have been in frequent communication on the subject with both the Minister of Health and His Majesty's Consul-General at Smyrna I will consider, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend, what action it is possible to take after further reports, which I have called for, have been received from Smyrna.

Mr. GUEST:

Will the hon. Gentleman also get information from the United State as to the Government action which they have taken along parallel lines?

Yes, Sir, I will endeavour to make inquiries about that.

Is not the fruit examined when it arrives in this country, and, if its condition is insanitary or unsatisfactory, condemned?

If my memory serves me, the Minister of Health stated the other day in the House that certain investigations had been made, and it had been found that the fruit was not contaminated in the way that was feared.