HC Deb 09 April 1936 vol 310 cc2939-40
37. Mr. De CHAIR

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement with regard to the removal of the potato duty?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 31st March and 2nd April, respectively, to questions on the subject by the hon. Member for Bradford Central (Mr. Leach) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Peebles (Captain Ramsay), to which I have nothing to add.

38. Mr. De CHAIR

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the reason advanced for removing the duty on imported potatoes was that home production had fallen short of the demand, he will consider the advisability of removing or reducing the present penalty of £5 per acre which is imposed on growers who wish to extend their acreage?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

The Potato Marketing Scheme provides that if, in the opinion of the board, their expenditure in the operation of the scheme is or is likely to be increased by reason of a registered producer planting potatoes in excess of his basic potato acreage, the board may require the registered producer to pay a special non-recurring contribution not exceeding £5 in respect of each acre of his excess acreage. The question of suspending or reducing this contribution is, therefore, primarily a matter for the board; and any producer who may be aggrieved by an act or omission of the board in this connection may refer the matter to arbitration.

Mr. De CHAIR

Does my hon. Friend realise the great difficulty in which producers find themselves at a moment like this, when, with the duty removed, they are not allowed to increase their acreage but are accused of not being able to produce the amount required for home consumption? Do the Government wish to have it both ways?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I would point out that the aggregate acreage of registered producers is no less than 636,000 acres, and that the acreage planted last year was 594,000 acres, or 40,000 acres more than the average of 1935.

Mr. PALING

If any grower does not produce up to his full capacity, can he sell his quota to any other grower?

Mr. DENVILLE

The hon. Gentleman gives the figures in acres; could we have them in tons of potatoes?

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