HC Deb 10 May 1956 vol 552 cc1405-7
33. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that on 30th April all stores at King's Cross depot were full of potatoes: that potatoes were stacked in the open to a height of 20 feet; that additional lorries could not be unloaded for lack of space; that some of the stocks were deteriorating; and if he will direct the Potato Marketing Board to ensure that these potatoes are evenly distributed so that they may be sold at a reasonable price.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. Heathcoat Amory)

I am aware that heavy imports last month led to a considerable accumulation of potatoes in transit. The distribution of potatoes is a function of the trade, and not of the Potato Marketing Board, and I am satisfied that the trade can be relied on to carry out its functions with efficiency and dispatch.

Mr. Collins

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since raising this question last week I have had letters from many parts of the country confirming that there are heavy stocks at various ports, and that they are selling very slowly? If this be the case, how can he justify the continuance of a retail price of 6d. a lb.? Is it not an admission of the abject failure of his policy, and will he not do something about it now, so that housewives may get potatoes at a reasonable price?

Mr. Amory

I am certain that any merchant owning potatoes in transit can be trusted to make arrangements to clear them at the earliest possible moment in his own interests. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the retail price. My information is that potatoes are now widely available at prices of 5d. a lb. and less, and I think that the trend is continuing downwards every day.

Captain Duncan

Is not the implication of this Question that the Potato Marketing Board was responsible for this position? Is it not most unfair to the Board, and does not my right hon. Friend deprecate that sort of question?

Mr. Amory

I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that it is unfair to blame the Potato Marketing Board. I have made it clear that the Board has not restricted production or interfered with distribution.

Mr. Collins

Does the Minister say that he has no responsibility at all in this matter? Does he disclaim any responsibility?

Mr. Amory

By no means. I say that I am certain that by leaving the distribution to the mechanism of supply and demand the shortage is being remedied very much more rapidly than it would be by intervention on my part.

34. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence has been submitted to him by the Potato Marketing Board, referred to in a letter from the hon. Member for Shore-ditch and Finsbury, that stocks of old potatoes were sufficient to last until the first fortnight in June; and the present stocks in the country.

Mr. Amory

All information about potato stocks and rates of consumption in the possession of the Potato Marketing Board is made available to me by the Board; and I agree with the Board that some supplies from the United Kingdom crop will continue to come forward for several more weeks of this season. It will nevertheless be necessary to continue to import old potatoes from all safe sources. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 23rd April.

Mr. Collins

But that reply indicated that the right hon. Gentleman did not know. Has he not made inquiries since to ascertain what are the stocks? When he says that the Potato Marketing Board considers there will be enough for several weeks, does that mean enough at a price of 6d. a lb. or enough at a reasonable price?

Mr. Amory

I have already said I believe that I am in possession of the latest information about stocks and supplies available to the Board. Regarding the hon. Gentleman's second question, I have already indicated that I think that supplies are likely to be short for the next four or five weeks, or even longer, and that is the general position. In the meantime prices are coming down because the supplies available today are greater than a week or two ago. But that does not detract from my general statement made a day or two ago that potatoes are likely to remain in short supply for the next four or five weeks.