HC Deb 15 March 1934 vol 287 c573
34. Major HILLS

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the heavy supplies of home-grown potatoes at low prices and of the efforts now being made by the newly-constituted Potato Marketing Board to find a satisfactory market for these supplies, the Government will drastically reduce the imports of early potatoes, especially from Spain?

Mr. ELLIOT

I am not at present in a position to add to my reply of 1st March to the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner), of which I am sending my right hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Major HILLS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that growers are seriously alarmed about the situation?

Mr. ELLIOT

Yes, Sir, but, as my right hon. and gallant Friend knows, in the first three months the imports of early potatoes are not very large.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that early potatoes are produced in Spain at least two months earlier than they can be in this country?