§ 39. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an inspector was sent by Lord Devonport to the Liverpool area to investigate the allegaton that farmers are withholding supplies of potatoes from the market in the hope of extorting higher prices than those officially fixed; whether the inspector has full power to deal with the situation, including the power to requisition stocks, if necessary; whether any report has been received from the inspector and if he can state what action is likely to be taken?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD CONTROL (Captain Bathurst)The inspector sent to Liverpool has reported that he found the local situation to be as follows: That a considerable proportion of the stock in the neighbourhood had already been requisitioned for the Army; that a further part is being reserved for seed; and that the remaining supply is short of requirements. He found but little evidence, consequently, of unreasonable withholding of supplies.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs it not a fact that the hon. Gentleman told me the other day that prices had been so arranged and graduated as to give an inducement to farmers not to withhold potatoes from consumption during the next few months?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a deep-seated impression among wage earners that farmers are withholding potatoes with a view to getting the rise of £l per ton in April?
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the difference between reasonably and unreasonably withholding that the farmers are going to get £1 more?
Captain BATHURSTIt so happens that in those districts there are very few potatoes available for anyone. It is only right to mention, and it should be realised by this House, that there is an almost unprecedented scarcity of potatoes not merely in the United Kingdom, but throughout the world. At the present rate of consumption it is unlikely that there will be potatoes available for anyone during the later spring and the earlier summer months, and those who can afford substitutes would be well-advised to discontinue or reduce their consumption of potatoes and so prolong the period for which they will be available for poorer persons.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it possible to regulate the sale of potatoes in the various towns and see that the ordinary working classes get their fair share?
Captain BATHURSTEvery effort is being made in the interests of the classes for which the hon. Member appeals.