§ 35. Mr. WATTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to whom farmers ought to apply in order to get from the Government the price of £7 10s. per ton for their potatoes in stock after the 15th of May?
Mr. PARKERThe Government have not indicated any intention of taking over stocks of potatoes from growers on 15th May at £7 10s. per ton, but as announced on the 29th March the Food Controller will be prepared on and after 15th May to purchase all sound ware potatoes in lots of 4 tons at £7 per ton, f.o.r., for which the grower cannot otherwise find a market. The Returns of Stocks just received by the Ministry of Food do not suggest that there will be any substantial surplus of ware potatoes in Great Britain which the growers will be unable to dispose of through the usual trade channels during May and June. If, however, after 14th May any grower has stocks on hand which he sees no prospect of being able to sell for delivery during May or June he should send particulars to the Director of Vegetable Supplies, 100, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. 7, giving the address of his farm and the nearest railway station, together with the names and addresses of any dealers to whom he has unsuccessfully offered to sell his ware potatoes.
§ Mr. WATTWhat does the hon. Gentleman mean by selling—selling at the same price as the Governments are prepared to give? You can always find a buyer at a price.