§ 61. Mr. PERKINSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the experimental plant for the production of potato flour has been sufficiently tested to prove its suitability; whether the sanction of the Treasury has been obtained for the provision of the necessary money to enable the plant to be made on a sufficiently large scale; will he say how many of such plants are proposed to be set up by the Ministry of Food; what will be their total capacity; and when does he expect that the plants will be in full operation?
§ Mr. PARKERThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The number of plants will depend upon the surplus of potatoes available 498 after due provision has been made for the needs of ordinary consumers. Each plant will be capable of handling from 300 to 350 tons of potatoes weekly, working night and day. The plants will be worked by private enterprise, and the requisite machinery will be provided as circumstances require.