asked the Minister of Food for what reason the subsidy on exports of raisins to this country, through funds granted under Section 550 of the Mutual Security Act, was accepted whilst that on citrus fruit was refused; and whether his Department will henceforward permit no imports of any foodstuffs into this country which are subject to subsidisation in any form, whether direct or indirect, through such methods as multiple exchange rates.
The raisins bought last year by my Department in the United States were not paid for with Section 550 funds. The subsidy on citrus fruit was refused in the interest of citrus growers in Colonial Territories.
As regards the undertaking asked for in the second part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the many considerations involved, but it is impracticable to lay down hard and fast rules of universal application.