§ 54. Mr. Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the shortage in the supplies of sulphate of potash available to commercial fruit growers; and if he will arrange for some allocation of this salt to be made available to British growers at an early date.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI am aware that' there is a shortage of potash, and regret that it is unlikely that supplies will be sufficient to make allocations, whether of sulphate or other forms, for fruit growers this season.
§ Mr. MedlicottIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this problem is particularly acute in Norfolk, where the soil is deficient of this element; is not he also aware that a certain amount of potash is at present being produced in the British zone of Germany, the greater part of which goes to Holland; and cannot he arrange for some proportion of this to be allocated to this country?
§ Mr. WilliamsI cannot say what proportion of the potash produced in Germany is going to Holland—I should very much doubt whether that is the case. It is true that we recognise that there is a shortage in this country, and we are doing all that we can to improve supplies.
§ Mr. DribergBut is my right hon. Friend not aware that it was stated in this House a few months ago that a quite considerable amount of potash from the British zone was going to Holland?
§ Mr. WilliamsIf my hon. Friend needs information about that, he had better put down a Question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.