§ 35. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the financial inducement given to farmers to offer substandard ware potatoes to his Department not later than 31st January, 1954, as shown by the price results of the Annual Review, and, in view of the application by the National Farmers' Union for an increase in the import duty on new potatoes in the period 16th May to 30th June, he will ensure that proper storage facilities exist so that supplies of eatable main-crop potatoes in good condition may be available to old age pensioners and other poor people in the period when 196 new potatoes may be made more expensive through increased import duties.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeEnough old potatoes to satisfy requirements will still be kept in the clamps to the end of the season.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill my right hon. and gallant Friend act in the spirit of the Budget and stop interference with the potato business? Will he allow the expert manufacturers and dealers to store and process potatoes without Government interference?