26. Mrs. Adamsonasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the glut of new potatoes, he will take steps to ensure that the remaining supply of old, and often black, potatoes now being served in prisons are disposed of for animal food, and that this year's crop of new potatoes be supplied to the prisoners?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonPotatoes for use in prisons are bought locally, and I am informed that in most prisons the stocks of old potatoes are coming to an end and supplies of new potatoes are being purchased. Arrangements are made in all prisons for the supervision of food, and I cannot accept the suggestion that it is a practice to use potatoes which have become uneatable.
Mrs. AdamsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that soggy potatoes were dished up a few days ago in one of our prisons?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is possible, but old potatoes are still wholesome and healthy food. On the ground of national food economy I should be wrong to order nothing but new potatoes, which, however, are now coming in. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind where the potatoes were uneatable, I would be glad to look into it.