§ 7. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will consider the advisability of having a list published by the Department of Agriculture in Ireland giving the names of those applying for export licences for potatoes, the amount applied to be exported, the amount allowed to be exported, and the destination thereof?
§ 36. Captain DONELANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state the quantity of potatoes shipped from Ireland by each person or firm to whom a licence has been granted since the Order came into force?
§ Captain DONELANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked this question so far back as the 12th of last month, and I have never yet succeeded in obtaining a reply to it?
§ Mr. DUKEThe reply I have given is that after taking advice on the matter no useful purpose would be served by publishing this list.
§ Captain DONELANMight it not be very awkward to publish it?
§ Mr. DUKEIf that contains any suggestion that there has been any sort of indirect process in the issue of these licences, I am bound to say, so far as I know—and I have kept myself fully acquainted with the facts—it is a totally unfounded suggestion.
§ Mr. MOONEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making some return of the amount shipped, in view of the fact that the state- 2123 ment appeared in the "Times" this morning that the Food Controller has been informed that there are 50,000 tons of potatoes in Ireland which could be shipped to England, whereas the opinion in Ireland is quite the contrary?
§ Mr. DUKEThat statement was published on the authority of a Member of this House. I confess, so far as my information goes, I could not make such a statement, and I have done my best to ascertain the conditions, but the hon. Member who is responsible for the statement is engaged in the trade, and no doubt has access to information in the trade which may supply particulars which are not given upon the census to those who collect for the census.
§ Mr. MOONEYIs it not a fact that the hon. Member of this House, on whose authority that statement is made, is not only connected with the trade, but also holds a Government appointment in connection with potatoes; and can the right hon. Gentleman say on what ground he makes a statement which is entirely contrary to the opinion in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEIt is quite true that the hon. Member who is connected with the trade is a member of the Committee which has been assisting the Government Department dealing with this very difficult matter——
§ Mr. LUNDONThe only Irishman on the Committee!
§ Mr. DUKEIf he had not been a member of the trade he would have been quite useless for the purpose for which that assistance is required.
§ 19. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the reason which actuated the Local Government Board in fixing on Up-to-Date seed as the best potato for use in sowing this year's crop; whether he is aware that nearly all the public Boards in Ireland regard this seed as valueless for producing a good table or a keeping potato; and will he direct that Champion or Arran Chief seed be substituted?
§ Mr. DUKEArrangements for supplies of seed to district councils are made by the Department of Agriculture, and the reason why "Up-to-Date" was selected for the purpose of the scheme is stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Connemara on the 21st ultimo.
§ Mr. LUNDONWill the right hon. Gentleman instruct the Local Government Board to allow the local rural district council to purchase seeds locally if they find suitable ones?
§ Mr. DUKEWell, Sir, that matter has been the subject of consideration owing to the question raised by the lion. Gentleman the Member for North Kerry. In any case where it is possible to give these facilities without disturbing the general operation of the tillage scheme it is desirable to give them.
§ 34. Captain DONELANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the extent of the shortage of the present supply of potatoes in Ireland as compared with the supply at this period last year?
§ Mr. DUKEThe estimated production of potatoes in Ireland in 1916 was 1,276,717 tons less than in 1915. As no complete figures are available showing the consumption of potatoes, the Department of Agriculture are not in a position to state the extent of the shortage.
§ 35. Captain DONELANasked the quantity of potatoes exported from Ireland for the use of the military forces of the Crown since the Order was made prohibiting the shipment of potatoes from Ireland except under licence?
§ Mr. DUKELicences are not issued by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the export of potatoes for the use of the military authorities, and they are not in a position to give the information desired.
§ Captain DONELANWill the right hon. Gentleman say how this information can be ascertained?
75. Mr.MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, in view of the fact that he has fixed an artificial price for potatoes irrespective of the ordinary operation of supply and demand, and that consumption is no longer regulated automatically by price, whether he has considered the possibility of the stock of potatoes being exhausted before the new crop is ready; and whether he proposes to establish a system of potato rations?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)The possibility that 2125 the stock of potatoes would be exhausted before the 1917 supplies are available has been taken into account, and an increased price was allowed for potatoes delivered after 31st March with the object of giving an inducement to growers not to throw the whole of their supplies upon the market at once. There is no present intention of establishing a system of compulsory rations in the case of potatoes.
§ Mr. FRANCEHow does the hon. Gentleman differentiate between holding up stocks for inducement of prices and holding up stocks against giving supplies to the public?
Captain BATHURSTThe supplies in the hands of the farmers are known to the Department, and are being carefully watched.
§ 77. Mr. RAFFANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, whether a number of retailers are refusing to supply potatoes at the stipulated price of 1½d. per lb. unless other vegetables are purchased at the same time; and, seeing that this practice entails hardship on the poor, whether immediate steps will be taken to render it illegal?
Captain BATHURSTAs I stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for South West Ham yesterday, the practice described in the question is prohibited by the Potatoes 1916 Main Crop (Prices) Order, No. 2, which came into force last Saturday. I might perhaps add that several cases of alleged overcharging are being investigated and if substantiated proceedings will be at once taken.