§ 52. Sir Ralph Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to make a statement on the prospects of seed potato planting, and the distribution arrangements being made to counter the ill effects of the weather conditions in Scotland and the south.
§ 59. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the damage by weather to seed potatoes; and what provision he has made for extra stock.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)Damage to seed potatoes has been practically confined to those in transit or awaiting loading; potatoes still in clamps during the frost have suffered very little. As in previous years, supplies of certified seed potatoes will not be sufficient to meet all demands, but I am satisfied that enough "once-grown" seed will be available to plant the balance of the acreage desired. Deliveries of Scottish and Northern Ireland seed are well behind schedule, but every effort is being made to expedite delivery. The highest possible priority is being accorded to consignments moving by rail. The maximum size of potatoes permitted to be sold as seed has been increased from 2 in. to 2¼ in., and growers' prices for once-grown seed of the principal maincrop varieties are being increased by 10s. per ton.
§ Major Legge-BourkeHas the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the great reduction in acreage in some of the finest potato land in the country, due to floods?
§ Mr. WilliamsYes, Sir.
§ Mr. CollinsIs my right hon. Friend aware that large quantities of seed potatoes have been eaten instead of being planted in recent weeks, and will he take steps to stop the continuance of that sort of thing, as was done in the case of seed corn?
§ Mr. WilliamsI can scarcely imagine that those in possession of seed potatoes sold them for human consumption, since the price they could obtain for them, as seed, was much higher than that which they could obtain for the potatoes if they were merely for human consumption.