§ 52. Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the proposals for using surplus potatoes for the manufacture of power alcohol; and whether he will have inquiries made as to whether such an outlet could be developed so that, if it were considered desirable to maintain a bigger acreage under potatoes, the market for human consumption would not be overloaded in years of heavy production?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)I have been asked to reply. I am not aware of the particular proposals to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I understand that the Potato Marketing Board, after careful inquiries, have come to the conclusion that the production of alcohol would not be a profitable outlet for surplus potatoes.