HC Deb 03 May 1948 vol 450 cc894-5
35. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that farmers in Somerset are unable to dispose of stocks of potatoes; and whether he will arrange for these supplies to be sent to areas in short supply.

Dr. Summerskill

All markets are at present well supplied with potatoes. As my hon. Friend will know, the restrictions on sales to consumers have now been removed and I do not anticipate that farmers will have any difficulty in disposing of their remaining stocks before the new crop arrives on the market.

Mr. Collins

Are there any substantial outstanding contracts for imports of old potatoes and are the new potatoes now being imported entirely in the hands of private importers?

Dr. Summerskill

Many of the old contracts expire in a week or two. I should require further notice of the second part of the supplementary question, but I believe that all are in the hands of private importers.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

It any producers have any difficulties, would the hon. Lady make the same arrangements and pay them for eating the potatoes themselves?

Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

is the hon. Lady aware that exactly the same situation exists in Scotland and that, in fact, potatoes are having to be fed to animals? Is not this indicative of the complete breakdown of the potato rationing scheme?

Dr. Summerskill

Certainly not. I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that farmers had every opportunity to let us have their potatoes. We were prepared to pay for any we could take from them from November to the end of March. In January and February, when there was a shortage, we pressed farmers to load, but many of them thought that perhaps it was worth while to wait a little.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

How could a farmer lift his potatoes when the clamps were all frosted?