[andymc]

Yes, that's right. Regardless of their undoubted wrongdoings, it is companies like these on which the UK's economy is particularly reliant. In total, some £800 billion is leaving the country in this manner. Not to worry, eh? I'm sure the powers that be have a cunning plan to replace it all. At least, insofar as it affects them personally.

By all means, continue to enjoy your lettuce. I'm actually a strong advocate of buying local produce whenever possible. If it's something you particularly enjoy but start to find difficult to source in future winters, you may be able to grow some of your own indoors, even in the coldest of weather. This way, you can ensure you won't have to rely on any imports at all - neither of the lettuce leaves themselves, nor the labour which will no longer be there to pick what will end up rotting in the ground at harvest time in Britain.

G'luck now.