§ 25. Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Minister of Food what complaints he has had recently of the damage through frost to Scotch seed potatoes in transit to England; what representations he has made to prevent undue exposure at the docks and to ensure the use of solid bottomed railway trucks and a bottom layer of straw; what is the estimated annual loss of potatoes due to such conditions; and whether, in view of the extreme shortage of potatoes, losses will be reduced to the minimum this year.
§ Mr. StracheyI have had very few complaints; my Department has impressed on the railway and shipping companies and 1445 port authorities the need for full protection of seed potatoes during transit, including precautions of the kinds suggested by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. StracheyI am continually impressing upon shipping and railway companies the need for care in this traffic, but the overall loss is only running at one half per cent. at the moment.