§ 1. Colonel BURNasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will use every endeavour to hasten the delivery of seed potatoes in view of the desire of all parties to increase the food supply of this country; and if he is aware that inconvenience and loss has been caused to those concerned by the non-delivery of orders, in consequence of which many have had to be cancelled?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries recognise the importance of securing rapid transport for seed potatoes, and some time ago they obtained though the Rail Executive Committee a concession whereby this class of traffic has received preferential treatment throughout the season. Under this arrangement the carriage of seed potatoes has been much facilitated, although the difficulties of transport have greatly increased as the season advanced. Some cases of delay, such as are referred to by the hon. and gallant Member in the last part of the question, have occurred and have not been preventable, though the Department have given all the assistance they could when the delay was brought to their notice.