§ 56. Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture the result of his conference with the Minister of Food regarding the representations made to him since the potato prices were announced, in favour of more adequate remuneration of producers?
Mr. HudsonI have considered, in consultation with my Noble Friend the Minister of Food the representations which 418 have been made concerning the prices fixed for potatoes in the Order of 30th July. The Order provides for minimum and maximum growers' prices, the minimum prices being generally 20 per cent, above the average market prices ruling in the corresponding period of 1939. The maximum prices are 10s. above the minimum for each grade. The Order, which applies to the months of August and September only, is an interim measure to regulate the market pending a further Order prescribing schedules of main crop prices throughout the remainder of the season. These will be fixed in accordance with the undertaking given by the Government on 29th June that farmers will be secured an increase in their returns per acre of approximately 20 per cent, as compared with what they obtained for the 1939 crop. The growers will be consulted in regard to the prices for the main crop proper as soon as the yield of the crop can be estimated, and the interim Order does not, of course, prejudice these discussions in any way.
§ Colonel CarverCan the Minister say how these prices compare with those of August and September last year, and is he aware that potatoes cannot now be grown at the maximum price of £5 a ton, which is below the cost of production?
Mr. HudsonI do not think I can accept the view that £5 is below the cost of production, but in any case the prices for August and September are, in fact, 20 per cent, above the market prices ruling last year.