HC Deb 31 January 1949 vol 460 cc1366-7
32. Mr. Joynson-Hicks

asked the Minister of Food to state, in categories, the quantities of soft fruit imported monthly during last season for direct consumption.

Dr. Summerskill

It is impossible to distinguish imports for direct consumption from those for manufacture and processing. As the answer includes a table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

Can the right hon. Lady help us by saying whether it is likely that this season there will be more or less imports of fruit than there were last season?

Dr. Summerskill

That depends upon the weather.

Following is the information:

of the name of Matutano has been in this country endeavouring to get exports of potatoes from this country, and will she say why the Board of Trade have stopped exports?

Dr. Summerskill

I think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is a little confused. He is mistaking seed potatoes for ware potatoes. Ware potatoes are sold by my Department, and we made a competitive quotation to Spain when they asked us for about 70,000 tons of ware potatoes. So far as seed potatoes are concerned, we have exported all that Spain has asked for.

Major Legge-Bourke

Does not the right hon. Lady realise that Spain has obtained the seed potatoes she is talking about from Holland, and that they will grow crops of potatoes from those seeds which will be imported into this country through her Ministry?

Dr. Summerskill

I am afraid that the hon. and gallant Gentleman does not know the facts. If he will have a word with me afterwards, I will tell them to him.

34. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the present crop of Royal Kidney potatoes, grown in the Wisbech area, is being or has been exported to Spain, as has been the long-established custom; or what is being done with this season's crop.

Dr. Summerskill

The customary export to Spain from the Wisbech area is of Royal Kidney seed potatoes and although these are private trade transactions, from the information available, it appears that most, if not all, the Royal Kidney seed grown in this area will be exported to Spain.

Major Legge-Bourke

Is it not a fact that the export of seed potatoes from the Wash ports has been stopped by the Board of Trade?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite wrong. We have sponsored all the licences of the potatoes which are going to Spain.