Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 March 1947.
Sub-Lieutenant Herschel Austin
, Stretford
12:00,
31 March 1947
asked the Minister of Food whether he will now stop the importing of luxury fruits such as pineapples, pomegranates, etc., which are beyond the reach of the working-class purse, with a view to greater concentration on the supply of fruit at commercial prices.
Mr Percy Shurmer
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is much concern about the importing of expensive fruit, prices of which are beyond the reach of many people; and what steps he is taking to import cheaper fruit and vegetables.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
I am grateful to my hon. Friends for raising the matter. In the first place, I think we should make a mistake if we supposed that what they term expensive fruits always stay expensive. For example, when we first gave an open general licence for the import of tangerines they cost 10s. 6d. per lb., and I was severely criticised; but at the height of the season they could be bought for 8d. a lb.; in the same way, grapes started at very high prices, but when they were most plentiful came down to 1s. 6d. per lb. Secondly, it is quite wrong to think that these fruits are alternative to any other more important foodstuff. In the main they come from countries which owe us money—or my right hon. Friend the Chancellor would not let me buy them: again we would never devote shipping space to them if there were cargoes of more important foods available. Naturally, nothing could be easier than to forbid their import; but we should get nothing whatever in their place. Would that not be a real instance of austerity for austerity's sake?
Sub-Lieutenant Herschel Austin
, Stretford
That is most unsatisfactory. Is not my right hon. Friend pandering to the longest possible purse in this matter; and can he say why there should be this discrimination against the working class?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
That is a matter of opinion. Does my hon. Friend think that the import of tangerines, for example, at 1s., and, in some cases, 8d. a pound, shows discrimination against the working class? Of £6½ million spent on these fruits to date, no less than £5 million has been spent on tangerines. That is the major item. I should have thought that, by and large, the import of these fruits was justified.
Mr Nevil Beechman
, St Ives
Will the Minister explain to the country that, in view of the low value of the £, imported vegetables are bound to be expensive?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
The right hon. Gentleman can reply to any Question in any way he likes.
Mr Benjamin Parkin
, Stroud
Does my right hon. Friend in fact buy them, or does he give a licence to other people?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
These particular fruits are under open general licence. I should have said that my right hon. Friend would not allow me to allow them to be bought.
Mr. E. P. Smith:
Can the Minister say what is the price per pound of pineapples at the height of the season?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
The price of a pineapple today is about 10s. I cannot give the price per pound. They started at about 25s. each, and have now come down to about 10s. each. I do not say that they will come down to the same price as tangerines.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I think that we had better get on to the next Question.
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