§ 30. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Food how many tons of turnips of last year's crop have been purchased in the Newcastle area by the three agents, Messrs. Maw, Gilroy and Todd; what were the prices given; what quantity is still undistributed; what quantity has been offered back to farmers; and at what price.
§ Dr. Summerskill2,435 tons were bought at a price of £7 per ton. None of these supplies has either been moved to store or distributed and arrangements are being made for the reserves created to be dispersed. Under these arrangements, growers have the option of being released from their contracts or of repurchasing the supplies of deliverable swedes bought. I understand that some 80 tons have so far been sold in this area at a price of £3 per ton.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware that State purchase and the regulations issued as to the lifting of and storing of swedes and turnips are a laughing-stock among distributors and growers, and are causing great loss to the taxpayer?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir. The purchase of these swedes was a measure of insurance against a shortage of potatoes. Any loss incurred is, in my opinion, a premium that has to be paid for that insurance.
§ 31. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food why his instructions to lift and store turnips inside warehouses were cancelled; and on whose advice.
§ Dr. SummerskillAs my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 23rd February we arranged for some swedes to be stored as an emergency reserve. Since the emergency has not arisen, we cancelled the arrangements for storage.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs not the hon. Lady aware that swedes keep best in the ground, and that I can repeat here my supplementary question to the previous Question?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and that is why we are keeping them in the ground.