§ 11. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated average yield per acre and the total tonnage of the 1955 potato crop.
Mr. AmoryThe most recent estimate of the average yield for the United Kingdom is about 6.9 tons per acre, and the estimated production 6,044,000 tons.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Minister satisfied that this production will be sufficient to avert the fears existing in some quarters of an acute shortage of potatoes? If he is not satisfied, can he say what arrangements he is making, in concert with his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, to avoid such a shortage?
Mr. AmoryYes, Sir. Within the next day or two I shall be examining the stock figures, which have just become available. If there are any doubts as to the adequacy of supplies, the Government will license imports.
§ Mr. WadeDoes the right hon. Gentleman approve of the artificial restriction of acreage by the Potato Marketing Board? Will this not lead to further increases in price, with the result that consumers, on whose good will the producers ultimately depend, will eventually regard potatoes as a luxury which they cannot afford to buy?
Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not the case that the Potato Marketing Board has had nothing to do with this year's crop?
Mr. AmoryIt is perfectly true; the Potato Marketing Board has only recently resumed operations. But the fact remains that its operations have the approval of Her Majesty's Government and of Parliament.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould my right hon. Friend say something to disabuse the minds of those who are under the impression that growers of potatoes are deliberately withholding their stocks at the present time? Does he know that that impression is fairly widespread just now?