asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how long it now takes to make a toll and a trunk connection, respectively; and how this compares with this time last year.

In the three months ending 31st March the average times from the start of toll and trunk calls until the called subscriber answered were 46 and 90 seconds, respectively, as compared with 49 and 102 seconds in the same three months last year.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how far this is due to the fact that the Post Office has got more staff?

That is the chief reason, and also the greater stability of staff.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he expects to be able to reply to the representations made on 22nd May last by the hon. Member for Cardiff, West, concerning the petition by residents at the Disabled Centre, Haig Place, Cardiff, to have a telephone kiosk installed in that area.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 12th June.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he sent me a quite unsatisfactory reply, and is he further aware that this Disabled Centre is situated on a hill much more than the 600 yards he mentioned in his letter from the nearest telephone? Will the hon. Gentleman look at this matter again, because there is a genuine grievance in this case?

I admit that the reply was unsatisfactory in a sense. I should very much like to have told the hon. Gentleman that I could provide him with the facilities for which he asks, but, as I told him in my reply, I shall certainly provide those facilities at the earliest possible moment.

When will that be?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to supply a list of the places in the Hexham Division of Northumberland, in which it is proposed to erect public telephone kiosks by 31st March, 1953, and, in particular, whether Settlingstones will be included in that list.

I regret not. The telephone manager is in correspondence with the county branch of the Rural District Councils' Association about the list for the Hexham area and I will write again to my hon. Friend as soon as I have any definite information.

Does my hon. Friend realise that he referred to this list in a letter to me last March; and, as he is still unable to give the details, does not this continual inability to provide the details reflect somewhat on the competence of his Department?

Well, I trust not. The position is that we ask the Rural District Council's Association to advise us where these kiosks should go, and in this particular case no agreement has finally been reached with the Association. I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall certainly get on with this as quickly as we can get agreement on this point.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many local telephone directories are being published by his Department in the North-West London area; and if he will give details of their cost of production and purpose, and the policy on which their publication is based.

Four. The total cost of the current issues of these was about £5,000, but revenue amounting to nearly half of this sum was obtained from advertisements. Local directories are provided at the discretion of the Post Office Regional Director in areas where they are likely to be of special convenience to subscribers.

Is it the policy of my hon. Friend's Department to publish local directories in competition with private enterprise? If so, is it his policy to get as many advertisements as possible? Is he aware that in Wembley there is one published with far more advertisements than corresponding local directories in the neighbouring area?

The Post Office provide local directories, where they are satisfied they will be of use to the public as a whole, after consultation with chambers of commerce, local authorities and other bodies who are able to offer an opinion.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what action is being taken on the Terrington Report.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will now make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the recognition of staff associations within the Post Office.

I hope to make a statement at a very early date.

Why is the hon. Gentleman not able to keep the promise he made a week or two ago that he would make an announcement today? What is holding up a decision in this matter? Is he finding it difficult to abandon some of the arguments he was advancing so strenuously a few months ago on the subject of trade union recognition in the Post Office?

No. The explanation is not nearly so romantic as that.

Is my hon. Friend aware that he did say he was going to make an announcement this week? While appreciating the difficulties involved, may I ask him if there is any change in that intention?

I was hoping to be able to make a statement today, but for a variety of reasons, of which one is that a statement on another subject is being made today, I am unable to do so.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General under what circum stances Mr. A. Adewale, who can neither read nor write, was employed as a sorter in a General Post Office sorting office.

Mr. Adewale was only employed as a Christmas casual porter in 1949. His employment lasted two days.

Was he employed as a sorter or as a porter?

He was employed as a porter.

Will the hon. Gentleman discourage his hon. Friend from putting down such Questions, which cost us so much money?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will issue 5s. books of stamps containing six each of ½d., 1d., 1½.d. and 2d. and 12 2½d. stamps, in view of the general demand for 1½d. and 2d. stamps by the public.

The composition of the 5s. books. which now contain stamps at ½d., 1d., 1½d. and 2½d., was changed as recently as March last after consultation with the Post Office Advisory Council, and I do not think a second alteration is warranted at this juncture. The hon. Member's proposal will, however, be borne in mind.

Is it not a fact that practically everybody uses a 2d. stamp every day of their lives, because it is compulsory to use them on receipts and written postcards; and would not 2d. stamps in this book be a very great convenience, and save using two stamps at greater expense to the Post Office and great inconvenience to the public?

There has not been any complaint on a large scale. We sell a million of these books a week; only 38 people have written in complaining and of the 38 only eight support the hon. Gentleman's contention.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the new issue of stamps for the new reign will be available to the public.

I hope that some of the permanent stamps of the new reign will be on sale by the end of this year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this announcement will be received with very great pleasure and interest by a very large section of the community, particularly those interested in the collection of stamps?

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the increase of 50 per cent. on airmail post places a considerable burden on firms trying to obtain export business who have to use the airmail sample post; and whether he will introduce a special all-in fixed charge for such airmail.

The increased air postage rates which came into force on 1st May only just cover the cost of the service which previously was running at a loss. I regret therefore that I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Is the hon. Gentleman or is he not anxious to increase exports, particularly of textiles, from this country; and, if so, why does he not do something about subsidising this, if necessary, so that firms who can export these textiles and other commodities can deal quickly with the demands of those in other countries?

Naturally the Government are anxious to help the export trade as much as possible but, as I have told the hon. Gentleman, this particular service was running at a substantial loss.

While I appreciate the reply the hon. Gentleman has given, may I ask whether he realises that some firms use this service almost entirely for the purpose of getting business; that they have to be speedy in sending their samples, and so on, and that this is really placing a tremendous imposition on them?

I realise that all right, but I also realise that this service was running at a substantial loss.

Surely the hon. Gentleman knows that there are many parts of the postal service which run at a loss. For instance, the whole of the telephone service of Scotland is a dead loss. We do it for the benefit of the country. I always understood that was a Post Office principle.

So it is, but it is the telegraph service which runs at a loss. Taking the country as a whole, the telephone service does not run at a loss.

When the hon. Gentleman says it is running at a loss, does he mean at a loss to the Post Office or to the airways corporations?

A loss to the Post Office.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if he had accepted our Amendment on the Post Office and Telegraph (Money) Bill he would not have to make this charge at all?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what reason the Oldham man, to whose name he has been referred, who was a qualified butcher and was employed as a butcher throughout his two years' service in the Armed Forces and who is now in civilian employment as a butcher, is being called up for 15 days' Z training; and what training he will receive.

As I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of 8th May, this man is not being called up as a Class Z or Class G reservist, but in accordance with his statutory obligations for part-time National Service. During his fortnight's call-up he will be employed in his whole-time National Service trade of Cook II and will help the permanent staff at a Royal Air Force Station to carry out the extra domestic work caused by the call-up of Class G reservists for operational refresher training.

What is the precise advantage to the nation or to National Service of calling up a man to perform the same duties as he is usefully performing in Oldham, of depriving an important shop of his services, of transporting him 200 miles by rail and many miles by road, and then telling him that, never having used his services as a soldier at all during two years of service, the Government are now going to give him a bit more experience of his own occupation?

This man is still a National Service man with a statutory obligation to the Royal Air Force, and he is going to be employed as he was employed during his full-time service, as a cook and not solely as a butcher.

Why does not the Under-Secretary tell my hon. Friend that this man will be engaged in cutting up the red meat that was promised?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider giving this man training as a vegetarian cook?

TO ask the Under-Secretary of State for Air, if he will provide facilities for free air passage to Leading Aircraftman J. Sextou, a national serviceman serving in the Middle East, to attend the World Solo Accordion Championship contest at Scheveningen, Holland, in September, in view of his placing in the All Britain Solo Accordion Championship.

May I draw attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that the name should be Leading Aircraftman J. Sexton, a good British name?

This case has been most sympathetically considered, but it is not possible to grant a free air passage to Leading Aircraftman Sexton in order to take part in this contest.

May I point out that, while one has the greatest desire that compassionate cases should not be prejudiced, the Commanding Officer has given a fortnight's leave so that Leading Aircraftman Sexton can take part in this world competition? It is only a matter of a place on the aircraft, and, in view of that fact, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision?

No, Sir. The normal tour of duty abroad is for two and a half years only, and no provision for leave in the United Kingdom at the public expense is made, except on urgent compassionate grounds. To grant this man a free passage for this purpose would be grossly unfair to those borderline compassionate cases which we often have to refuse.

Would it not be better for Mr. Sexton if he turned his attention to football or cricket?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the report of the Inspector-General of the Royal Air Force following his investigation into jet aircraft accidents.

As I informed the hon. and learned Member on 28th May, the fatal accident rate for jet aircraft is now lower than that for comparable piston-engined types. Experience has shown that the prevention of accidents to jet aircraft requires measures of the same kind as with piston-engined aircraft, i.e., close attention to methods and standards of training, constant improvement of equipment and expert supervision of flying and maintenance.

Does the Inspector-General recommend the use of an intermediate jet trainer?

Yes, Sir. But there is every indication at the moment that the dual Vampire will be an excellent dual trainer.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what further progress has been made in the provision of landing facilities for helicopters on the South Bank site.

Discussions on this matter are still proceeding, but I am not yet able to say when a final decision will be made. As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the question of an airstop is only one element in the much larger and more difficult issue of the future use and development of the South Bank.

Can the Minister say with whom these discussions are taking place and when it is likely that they will be brought to some sort of conclusion?

Discussions are taking place between the various authorities interested in the future of the South Bank. I would not like to give any definite date for their conclusion. We are well aware of the importance of developing the helicopter and the importance of making sure that we are not crowded out in this matter.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if a decision has yet been made about the development of Gatwick Airport as the alternate airport in the London area.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement soon.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when the present administration was set up one of the first things that the new Minister said, six months ago, was that he was hoping to make a statement soon about this alternate airport, and can he say, if a decision is not made this year, whether it is certain that there will be an alternate airport ready when Northolt is closed for civil operations?

We are aware of the importance of getting an early decision, and my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement very soon.

To ask the Minister of Civil Aviation if a decision has yet been made about the installation of Fog Investigation Dispersal Operation landing aid at London Airport.

In my original Question I contented myself with using the initials F.I.D.O., which, I understand, stand for the words Fog Intensive Dispersal Of and not for the words on the Order Paper.

I always thought that stood for F.I.D.O.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary remember that his right hon. Friend, the present Minister of Fuel and Power, whipped hon. Members opposite into a state of excitement similar to that with which they greeted the ending of this year's Budget speech, when he demanded that we must have F.I.D.O. at London Airport for the winter 1951–52, and what is the present Minister of Fuel and Power doing about this delay?

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation when a decision will be made about the extension of London Airport over the Bath Road, which is estimated to involve the destruction of 650 residential properties and 15 other properties, including churches, schools, business and industrial premises.

A final decision on the extension of London Airport must await practical experience in the use of the dual runway system, which will not come into full operation until late in 1953. While I regret the inconvenience this must cause to residents in this area, I cannot say when a decision will be reached. In any case no property will be disturbed before 1955.

While I appreciate that this is a most complex problem and not one on which we should try to score party points, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that there are some hundreds of families involved here who just do not know what to do with their homes? There are millions of pounds of constructional work involved, and there is grave disquiet that the present Government appear to be treating this as a spare-time problem for Ministers. Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that he would be better employed studying this matter rather than taking over the Finance Bill for the Treasury?

I can assure the hon. Member that we are well aware that this must cause grave inconvenience to the people living in the area but, as he is himself well aware, it is impossible to predict with certainty the development of air traffic. We are anxious to reach a decision as soon as possible, but it would be most unwise to reach a premature decision which would be a wrong one.

There is general agreement in regard to the necessity for a substantial enlargement of London Airport, and in those circumstances is it desirable that normal housing development should continue in the immediate proximity of the sites scheduled for airfield development? Has that aspect of the matter been considered?

Undoubtedly there must be development, and there is a good deal of development going on at London Airport, but this Question refers to the extension over the Bath Road to take in properties on the other side of the road, and that is rather a different point.

When the party opposite were on this side of the House they made a great song and dance about all these matters. Why are they so quiet about them now when they have an opportunity of going ahead with them?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Government of the Federal German Republic has been advised that it had no legal power to sign in the Republic's name the recent Contractural Agreements at Bonn; when a final judicial determination of that question is expected; and if he will give an assurance that in the event of an adverse decision Her Majesty's Government will not hold itself bound by the agreement.

Before signature of the Agreements the German Federal Constitutional Court considered and refused an application for an interim injunction to prevent the Federal Chancellor from signing them. The Federal President has now asked the Court for an advisory opinion on the question whether the ratification of the agreements would require amendment of the Constitution. It is not known when the Court's opinion on this matter will be given.

Is it not true that the refusal of the interim injunction was on a purely procedural point and not on the merits of the argument? Is it not also true that the Federal German Government has since been advised by two prominent legal experts in its own country, whose opinion it sought, that it had no power under the constitution to sign the Agreements in the name of the Federal German Republic? In those circumstances, ought we not to be very careful indeed to see that we do not hold ourselves bound by an agreement by which the opposite party is not bound at all?

The position is a complicated one. It is a fact that the President has now asked the Court for certain findings as to whether or not he can sign the ratification, but that really is a matter for the Germans themselves under their constitutional law. As regards our international position, it is quite clear, because both these documents, as their texts show, are interdependent, and their coming into force depends upon their ratification by all the Powers who are signatory to them.

Is it not a well known fact that legal experts, not only in Germany, sometimes hold different opinions and do not always interpret the law as the courts do?

I have heard of that happening in one or two countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent incidents in Berlin affecting the relations between the British, American and French authorities on the one hand and the Russian authorities on the other hand.

The major incidents which have occurred are the Soviet action to stop British and American patrols on the autobahn and the Soviet occupation of the road connecting the group of houses at Eiskeller with the British Sector, to which it belongs.

In view of the fact that this unsatisfactory situation forms part of the wider German problem, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the sooner the proposed Four Power Conference takes place, the better? In that connection, can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government propose to send a reply to the last Russian note?

That is entirely a different question. Our conversations, if they take place, are about free German elections. The Question deals with the situation in Berlin, which I think is not unsatisfactory, because it shows that as the result of our taking firm action we have received some satisfaction from the Soviet Government.

I was not suggesting that Her Majesty's Government had acted unsatisfactorily. Surely, the right hon. Gentleman would agree that this pin-pricking on the part of the Russian authorities is extremely unsatisfactory.

It is unsatisfactory, but the right hon. and learned Gentleman would agree that I can have no responsibility for the pin-pricks that are inflicted. Our duty is to maintain our rights and responsibilities firmly in the face of the pin-pricks. This we have done in this instance, with, I think, quite satisfactory results, and I am sure that it is the right process to be firm and unprovocative in all these matters.

What is the position about the Russian war memorial in the Western Sector, where, I understand, Russian sentries kidnapped a West German person a fortnight or so ago?

If my hon. Friend would be good enough to put that question down, I will give him an answer.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my supplementary question: when do the Government propose to send a reply to the last Russian note?

That is an entirely different question to the one on the Paper. It is a very important question, and I should be obliged if the right hon. and learned Gentleman would put it on the Paper. I should hope that the answer would be delivered quite soon, but I should like to have notice of that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire of the United Nations Command in Korea how many United Nations personnel have lost their lives in the recent disturbances on Koje island.

During the regrouping of prisoners now being carried out by Brigadier-General Boatner, one American soldier was killed on 10th June.

Have any further lives been lost in the six or eight months since the disturbances began last year?

I think I am right in saying that one further American life was lost last February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a further statement on the proposals for rescreening prisoners of war in Korea.

The United Nations offer of a further screening, which I described in my statement of 7th May, still stands. We are in constant touch with the United States and other interested Governments in order to try to find a way out of the present deadlock.

In view of the widespread concern over the original screening, would not the right hon. Gentleman recommend that a rescreening should take place without delay on the basis that all prisoners of war—the 70,000 in question—should be repatriated at the proper time, except those who express the desire not to be returned for fear of political persecution?

I think I dealt with that in answer to a supplementary question by the right hon. and learned Gentleman last week. The position is that so far any question of rescreening has been rejected by the Communist authorities. As I said last week, if the only question were between rescreening now and after the armistice, I would personally be ready to agree to the rescreening now, but it would have to be on the understanding that the result of that rescreening would be accepted. These are matters which we are discussing with the United States Government, and they are somewhat delicate at this stage. Therefore, I hope that the House will not press me further at this time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the objections to immediate rescreening, because in the opinion of most people this would facilitate further progress with the truce talks?

The difficulty at present is to secure an assurance from the Communist authorities that they would agree to accept the results of that rescreening. It is of no value to do it unless we get that assurance. We might even get it, but I should rather not go further at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the possible acceptability of representatives of India and of Pakistan by the Chinese Government, if Her Majesty's Government will consider proposing to the United Nations that representatives of the Indian and Pakistan Governments should take part in the rescreening of prisoners of war in Koje Island by non-participants in Korean military operations.

As I am in communication with the United States Government on the question of screening and cognate questions, I should prefer not to make a further statement on this topic at present.

While recognising the delicacy of these negotiations, can we at least have an assurance that the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind the value of the representatives of these two countries in view of their acceptability to China at the present time?

The hon. Member can be assured that I will bear this and a great many other questions in mind in these very difficult and delicate negotiations. I am not without hope that we may be able to make some progress.

asked the Prime Minister if he will call for an immediate conference of all United Nations taking part in the war in Korea to discuss the present position.

No, Sir. There is a constant exchange of views between the Governments whose forces are taking part in the United Nations action in Korea and formal conference does not seem necessary.

Will the Prime Minister state how much longer we are to stand meekly on the side line while American chiefs could decide our fate? Is it not the case that mismanagement of the truce talks could result in this country being drawn into the third world war? Is it not obvious by now that this country and other countries should be represented at those talks?

All those arrangements were made by the late Government—and anyhow I do not think Question time is appropriate for discussing these matters.

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister will no doubt agree that the armistice talks have been unduly prolonged—whoever is to blame—and that it is obvious that the military commanders on the spot are quite incapable of coming to a satisfactory conclusion, would it not be wise to transfer the discussion to diplomatic channels and that a conference of the kind suggested might be well worth considering?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the statement that the Prime Minister has made, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of price increase as it affects maximum and minimum classes of beef and mutton.

The price increases on the lower and higher qualities vary according to type and cut. I will, with permission, place in the Library of the House a list of the old and new retail prices for beef and mutton showing the increase per lb. for each cut.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for placing the increases in the Library, may I ask if he is aware that it is quite impossible for the housewife to go to the Library to find out if she is being correctly charged? Is he also aware that there is no butcher in Britain who places price tickets on the cuts of meat?

It will not be necessary for housewives to visit the Library, as it is a requirement by law that the prices should be exhibited in every butcher's shop.

Can the Minister arrange to do another broadcast about this?

That does not strictly arise out of the Question.

asked the Minister of Food what percentage of bone and fat is permitted in the weekly ration; and what price the purchaser must pay for same.

The proportion of fat and bone naturally varies not only between each carcase but also between individual cuts from the same carcase. The fat and bone content of any cut of meat is sold at the scheduled price for that cut.

Can the Minister tell us where we can see the schedule prices for fat and bone, and is he aware that three-quarters of the ration is made up of fat and bone? Would he bring back the advice, "Don't blame your butcher; blame the Radio Doctor"?

The scheduled price for each cut, including such meat, bone and fat as Nature has implanted in the body, is exhibited in every shop.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of price increases over a large amount of groceries, he will now re-impose control on each of them.

No, Sir. The prices of uncontrolled groceries have been affected by increased costs, particularly of wages, transport and packaging materials. Price control would not serve to eliminate such increases.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the orders which he has piloted through this House recently have resulted in the release of controls in the great majority of cases, and since these increases now amount to 31 items and represent about 4s. per week, has he informed the Chancellor that the increase of unsubsidised items amounts to more than the increase of 1s. 6d. about which we have heard?

As the hon. Lady's initial statement at the beginning of her supplementary was inaccurate, the rest does not arise.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the whole set-up of the Food Ministry, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment and in every other place I can think of.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of supplementary permits issued for tea in the last three periods prior to the withdrawal of the subsidy.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that it has been reported that a number of retailers are stocking up with tea at the subsidised price ready to sell at the unsubsidised price, and making 4d. a lb. profit at the State's expense? Will he put a stop to that and see that it does not occur when he removes the subsidies from other foods—which, incidentally, I hope he will not do?

Care has been taken to prevent what the hon. Gentleman has stated to have occurred. The supply of tea going into the shops prior to the increase in price was exactly the same as at normal times. There is no excuse for citizens being unable to obtain their tea ration.

That reply is contradictory to the Minister's former reply. If there are, as he states, a number of facts and figures for supplementary permits, they mean that he has issued supplementary permits, and that means that additional supplies of tea are going in. Will he see that that is stopped?

The supplementary permit is a part of the normal distribution machinery, which has not been departed from in recent weeks.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an advanced allocation of the sugar ration for the next six months now, so that housewives may, if they so wish, use it for jam making, in view of the large crop of soft fruits.

My right hon. and gallant Friend sympathises with the object my hon. Friend has in view, but this is not a practicable arrangement.

Could not the Minister decrease it by even 2 oz. a week? Everybody will not take it up, but if he does not do so is he aware of the inevitable hardship to horticulturists who are unable to sell their crops?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the individual can change his retailer every eight weeks, and it would follow that it would be an extremly difficult administrative arrangement to secure that no one obtained more than his appropriate ration.

Is not the Minister aware that he and many of his hon. and right hon. Friends were fond of telling us a few months ago that there was plenty of sugar in the world? Why does he not get some of it?

There is plenty of sugar in the world, but we cannot afford to buy it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now implement the recent recommendations of the Food Standards Committee regarding the minimum fruit content of certain jams and marmalade.

My right hon. and gallant Friend has decided to make no change this year, but to review the whole matter before the next jam-making season.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that decision will be very disappointing to growers of soft fruit in this country this year, when they expect a bumper crop? Is he aware, for instance, that Hampshire strawberries are being sold at Covent Garden today at 1s. 6d. per lb., well below the cost of production, and that there are grave fears that growers of other kinds of soft fruit will be in serious financial difficulty?

My hon. and gallant Friend will realise that in their recommendations the Committee suggested the lowering of standards in some cases as well as the raising of standards in others, and no change, apart from rounding up, in the case of strawberries. My right hon. and gallant Friend was led to the decision not to accept the recommended standard in raspberries, for example, because it would have meant an increase in the price of jam of approximately 1½d. per lb. In the view of my right hon. and gallant Friend there is a danger that such a rise would result in a level of purchases so much reduced as to involve a lesser use of fruit than in former years.