HC Deb 22 July 1942 vol 382 cc31-2
45. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food why 20,000 tons of potatoes have been left rotting in the King's Lynn area; will he take proceedings against the person or persons responsible for this piece of maladministration; will the growers be reimbursed; and what is the approximate loss to the taxpayer?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)

I am unable to accept the implication in the first part of the Question, Normal deterioration, due to the length of time in store, is affecting potatoes which remain out of the reserve of long-keeping potatoes bought by my Department to ensure that there should be no shortage if the new crop had been late. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise. Steps are being taken to examine stocks still held by growers from whom delivery could not be taken as provided by their contracts with a view to full and early settlement; but, as the disposal of these potatoes for human consumption, processing, and stock feeding is still continuing, I am unable to reply to the last part of the Question.

Sir W. Smithers

Can my hon. Friend confirm the figure, which has come to my notice since I put the Question down, that there are 200,000 tons of potatoes from last year's crop still not used, and that they are being sold at £1 a ton for cattle?

Mr. Mabane

No, Sir. Last year there was a gap between the crops. This year, the Ministry took steps to secure that there should be no such shortage of potatoes. That absence of potatoes has not arisen. One must not pay an insurance premium and then complain, if the eventuality against which one insured does not arise, and one has lost the premium.

Flight-Lieutenant Boothby

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the psychological effect on farmers when action taken by his Department results in thousands of tons of potatoes being left to lie about rotting?

Mr. Mabane

I cannot agree that they are rotting. There is natural deterioration when any stocks are in store for a long time; but the old potatoes are still being used.

Sir F. Sanderson

Cannot the potatoes be made into potato flour?

Mr. Mabane

That is under consideration.

Mr. Evelyn Walken

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to make a statement at an early date on the question of the out-of-date methods of distribution and storage by merchants and others engaged in the marketing of potatoes and other vegetables?