§ 41. Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the facts that the acreage under potatoes is likely to be larger this year than last, 1937 and that imports of foreign potatoes during the months of April, May and June this year were in excess of those for the same period last year, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to prevent the waste of English and Scotch potatoes such as occurred last year owing to the lack of demand?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe demand for homegrown main crop potatoes will not be affected by the importation of early potatoes to which the hon. Member refers, but in so far as waste does occur, from time to time, in the potato industry, it will be possible, when the Agricultural Marketing Bill becomes law, for growers to devise and administer remedial measures. Further, I am prepared, when the industry so desires, to proceed with a National Mark standardisation scheme for this commodity provided workable arrangements can be made.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman really mean to say that there will be no imports this year after June? If there are, how does he propose to deal with them?
§ Dr. ADDISONI did not say that. I said that the importation of early potatoes would not interfere with the sale of the main crop, and that is true.