79. Major BARNESasked the Food Controller what was the total amount of the potato crop this year; what was the average price paid to the grower in 1914 and 1919; and what was the price charged by the Government to the wholesale potato merchant?
Mr. ROBERTSFigures of the total amount of the potato crop this year are not available; but I am informed that the acreage under potatoes this year was 476,050 acres in England and Wales and 154,550 in Scotland. The average growers' price in 1914 was about 70s. per ton, and in 1919, about £ per ton. The Government have not bought potatoes from wholesale potato merchants.