asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the high pointing of Tunis dates has seriously affected the sale; and if he will consider either depointing or lowering the point values, so that the public may be given the benefit of accumulated stocks.

My information is that the high price of these dates, and not the points value, is affecting sales. I am, however, considering my hon. Friend's proposal.

Can my hon. Friend suggest any method whereby the price of these dates could be reduced?

I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that that is a matter for the merchants themselves. They have it in their own hands.

Is it not reasonable to say that free enterprise has forced the price of these dates to such a figure that housewives cannot afford to buy them, and is not the only way to tackle it for the Minister to buy on Ministry of Food account and keep the price low?

The Ministry is buying another type of dates and retailing them at about 5¾d. per lb., but these particular dates are of a special quality and are highly perishable, and that is why we allow private importers to bring them into the country.