§ 63. Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Food how far he proposes to import Irish seed or eating potatoes; and whether he can give an assurance that the port of Sharpness will be used for this trade.
§ Mr. WebbIrish seed potatoes will be imported by private traders. My Department will ship Irish eating potatoes but as we take the surplus from Northern Ireland as well as a quantity from the Irish Republic I cannot now give an estimate of the tonnage. As Bristol is the most economic distribution centre for South-West England it is not proposed to use Sharpness.
§ 64. Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Food the total number of grain ships he has directed to the port of Sharpness between 1st January, 1950, and 1st November, 1950.
§ Mr. PerkinsIs the Minister aware that this port is becoming a distressed area, because his Department does not use its influence to bring its ships to it? Can he use his influence to give us more ocean-going ships or, at any rate, to abolish the system of bulk purchase?
§ Mr. WebbThis is not an easy port for use by certain kinds of vessels. We cannot enter into uneconomical arrangements on that account.