HC Deb 14 February 1949 vol 461 cc779-80
38. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated crop of Royal Kidney potatoes in the Wisbech and Boston areas; how much of it has been exported; to which countries has this part gone; and what is being done with the remainder.

Mr. Strachey

The 1948 crop of Royal Kidney potatoes in the Isle of Ely and Holland areas is estimated at 4,200 tons. No ware has been exported—nor is that customary. Four hundred tons of the seed have been sent to Morocco by my Department and licences to export 2,800 tons of English Royal Kidney seed have been issued to private traders. Any remaining stocks may be sold on the home market or offered to my Department for purchase under the guarantee.

Major Legge-Bourke

In view of the value of the remainder as an export, why is the right hon. Gentleman not taking a little more trouble about them and preventing them from being used for stock feed, which is what is happening?

Mr. Strachey

Private enterprise traders have a perfect right to export them and some have done so, I am glad to say.

39. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food why merchants who export potatoes have to pay a charge of £2 per ton exported; and what effect this has had on the export trade.

Mr. Strachey

The charge is made under the Seed Potatoes (Export) (Charges) Order, in order to recover the acreage payment made to potato growers. I am glad to say that our exports now are higher than in the past two or three years.

Major Legge-Bourke

While not contesting the Minister's suggestion that overall in the whole country, they may be up, is he aware that the Wisbech area has not exported any potatoes for two years now, largely because of this charge which makes it an uneconomic proposition for exporters?

Mr. Strachey

It is doubtful whether my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer could be persuaded to subsidise potatoes for export by the acreage payment. That is what is at issue.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would it not be cheaper to do that rather than that the Ministry should lose £4 5s. 0d. a ton on exporting ware potatoes?

Mr. Strachey

There is a case there which I am very willing to examine with my right hon. and learned Friend.