asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that the figures for the importation of dried fruit necessary for making Christmas puddings will not fall below those of last year.

The allocations of dried fruit for Christmas made in October and November were a little less than last year because of the loss of fruit from dollar sources.

Would the Minister give an assurance that dried fruit from dollar sources will not be treated in the same way as sugar, and held in a sort of dollar purgatory, where no one can use it?

Actually the dried fruit allocation this year was over 90 per cent. of that of last year, and considering that we had to do without supplies from dollar sources altogether, I do not think that which was secured from non-dollar sources was a bad result.

Will the Minister, when he is looking after Christmas puddings for England, not forget Christmas buns for the Scottish New Year?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many people did not get any dried fruit allocation during October, and is anything to be done in order to make up that loss to them?

As I say, we have distributed, this autumn, over 90 per cent. of the quantity of dried fruit which was distributed last year. That is all we have got.

Will my right hon. Friend consider increasing the purchase of dried fruit from non-dollar countries?

Yes. My hon. Friend may be sure that we have only been able to get up to 90 per cent. of last year's supply by greatly increasing our non-dollar purchases.