§ 43. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture what was the amount of foreign potatoes imported into this country during the last three years; whether any cases have been brought to his notice of foot-and-mouth disease being brought here owing to the bags containing these potatoes; and if he is prepared to institute an inquiry into this matter?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The total imports of potatoes into this country during 1925, 1926 and 1927 amounted to 491,946, 338,812 and 291,540 tons, respectively.
I can find no evidence of any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in this country being due to sacks in which foreign potatoes have been imported. Careful inquiry as to the source of infection in each case is made at the time of the outbreak.
§ Major CARVERCan my right hon. Friend say what is the percentage of foreign potatoes imported into this country, compared with the crop grown here?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI cannot give the exact figures without notice, but four-fifths of our importation is of new potatoes, which do not come directly into competition with the greater part of our home crop. The percentage of imported main crop potatoes is generally between 2 per cent. and 4 per cent. I will give my hon. and gallant Friend the figures if he will put down a question.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDMay I ask whether the proportion of imported potatoes to home-grown potatoes does affect the question of foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Mr. GUINNESSNo, I do not think it does.