HC Deb 24 March 1947 vol 435 cc837-40
28. Mrs. Ayrton Gould

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that in many areas there have been no potatoes on sale for nearly a week, and that the few green vegetables in the shops are priced so high that it is quite impossible for the ordinary housewives to buy them; and if he will take steps to make potatoes and other vegetables available regularly to working-class families.

Mr. Strachey

First as to potatoes. During the six weeks from 1st February to 14th March, the period of severe weather, arrivals of potatoes at the main London railheads, for example, averaged 53 per cent. of the arrivals in the same period of 1946, and were only 40 per cent. of requirements during the week referred to in the Question. The shortage was equally severe in many other areas, as the potatoes could not be got out of the clamps. Fortunately, the position is now improving rapidly, and distribution should be approacing normal by the end of this week.

Second, as to green vegetables. Here, too, the shortage has been acute. It is estimated that in some recent weeks supplies available for distribution have been less than one-tenth of normal. The supply position is now improving but not so rapidly as in the case of potatoes. I have most anxiously considered the re-imposition of price controls to green vegetables. If it were possible to improvise rapidly a full system of price control and rationing I should not hesitate to do so. But, I have most reluctantly come to the conclusion that price control without rationing might, in present conditions of supply, do more harm than, good. I fear very much that the chance of working class households to obtain their fair share of supplies would not in practice be greatly increased, since so much would inevitably disappear under the counter. Worse, the total supply available, which is at last increasing appreciably, would, I am convinced, be sharply reduced. In particular, imports would be largely cut off.

I have accordingly decided to concentrate upon increasing supplies, and have arranged for an open general licence for the import of all green vegetables from now until 15th June next.

The case of root vegetables is different. I am advised that home supplies should now be adequate to demand and, unless prices return rapidly to a reasonable level, I shall either arrange for an open general licence for imports, or if this appears to be the more efficacious method, shall re-impose price control on root vegetables.

Major Legge-Bourke

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how he allies his statement that the potato position is improving, with the fact that last week literally tens of thousands of tons of potatoes were lost completely in the floods?

Mr. Strachey

I was referring to the supplies available in the market, which is to what the Question refers. Supplies arriving at the markets have in many cases doubled during the last week.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "normally"? Does he mean reverting to wartime quantities, or prewar abundance?

Mr. Strachey

It may interest the hon. and gallant Member to know that the consumption and distribution of potatoes now is 170 per cent. of prewar.

Mr. Hogg

Having regard to the last part of the Question, and the first supplementary answer, would the right hon. Gentleman like to tell us something of the position in regard to potatoes in view of the floods?

Mr. Strachey

That question is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. I would be the last to suggest that the flood losses may not be serious. I think my right hon. Friend would say that it is too early to assess those losses, but he will, no doubt, be making a statement to the House on the subject.

32. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of his Department's circular OC/9546 AHL/DMR, of 10th March, he is aware that the shortage of the potato supply is due to the fact that, owing to the increased costs of labour and transport, growers can only sell to the public at a loss; and what action he is taking to remedy this.

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir; the recent shortage has been due to the severe weather and supplies are already better. Growers' fixed prices were increased by 7s. per ton for the 1946 maincrop to cover extra labour costs, while the cost of transport is met out of the merchant's margin. Growers have, in fact, done a remarkably fine job in loading potatoes during the bad weather, and have sent to market more than might reasonably have been expected.

Sir W. Smithers

While agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman in his tribute to some of the growers, I would ask if he is aware that his attempts to violate the law of supply and demand result in there being many potatoes which would be brought forward if the growers were able to get a small return for their risks and outlay?

Mr. Strachey

No, Sir. I cannot admit that.

Sir W. Smithers

Ask again.