§ 19. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied with the arrangements for disposing of 1951 main crop potatoes now found surplus to human requirements; and if he will state the tonnage so far bought by his Department for stock feed purposes.
Dr. HillYes, Sir. My right hon. and gallant Friend has so far bought to fulfil the guarantee under the Agriculture Act 575,000 tons of potatoes. He expects that about 460,000 tons of these will have to be sold for stock feeding.
§ Mr. HurdIs the Minister satisfied that the potatoes that are surplus in certain areas, mainly the Eastern Counties, are now moving fast enough to the stock feeding areas to see that they are not wasted when the weather gets hotter?
Dr. HillYes, my right hon. and gallant Friend has been giving consideration to that problem and he is satisfied that that result will be secured.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWhat loss is likely to be incurred by the Food Ministry as a result of this transaction?