asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the intention of a number of apple growers in British Columbia to send free gifts of apples for distribution in the U.K. was frustrated by the refusal of permission by his Department on the grounds that a case of apples exceeds 22 lb. in weight; and whether he will take steps to assist rather than discourage such generous offers of help from the Dominions,

I do not know of any offer by British Columbian apple growers to send free gifts of apples for general distribution in this country. The proposal made to my Department was that people in Canada should be allowed to send standard cases of approximately 45 lb. of apples as private gifts to friends and relatives in the United Kingdom. The present parcel post weight limit for all parcels is, however, 22 lb. gross, and I am not in a position to increase this limit, which is set by the postal authorities. If the British Columbian apple growers would send the apples here in bulk we would be most willing to arrange for their distribution.

Mr. Amory:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the reply given by his Department to the respective donors it was regretted that no further concession could be made; and does he not think that his Department is rather discouraging those prepared to help in this rather practical way?

A concession cannot be made on the weight of parcels, because there is an international convention on parcel-post packages; but we should be willing to arrange, if they can be sent here in bulk, for their distribution. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me an opportunity for saying so.