HC Deb 07 March 1918 vol 103 c2103
61. Mr. WATT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in regard to the potato-growing notice of 1918, in which the Food Controller states that he will be prepared to enter into contracts with fanners for certain main-crop potatoes of 1918, and for which contract forms must be secured before 1st May, 1918, it will be necessary for the farmer to complete the contract before that date or whether he will be allowed until 1st November, the earliest time for delivery, to effect the sale?

Mr. CLYNES

The scheme for the 1918 potato crop contemplates that contracts for potatoes planted on excess acreage should be entered into before the 1st May, 1918, but a reasonable latitude will, if necessary, be given to growers in this respect. The final date for the completion of contracts will be announced later.

62. Mr. WATT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his Department has any definition of the expression "experimental purpose" as used in the potato-growing notice for 1918; and will potatoes grown on land which never grew potatoes before be for experimental purposes or by farmers or others who have not before grown that article of diet?

Mr. CLYNES

The phrase "potatoes grown for experimental purposes" means potatoes of new or rare varieties which are not grown on a commercial scale. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.