HC Deb 16 May 1957 vol 570 cc564-5
40. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are going to be made for the disposal of the stock-feed potatoes, amounting to thousands of tons, which are rotting on certain farms; and whether he will give an assurance that farmers will get a fair price for them.

Mr. Amory

I am afraid that the Potato Marketing Board will not be able to dispose for stockfeed or other purposes of all the potatoes accepted under the Government guarantee. But the guarantee arrangements provide for growers to receive a fair price for their potatoes even when no use can be found for them.

Mr. Bence

Can the Minister say what he considers to be a fair price for a rotten potato?

Mr. Amory

The hon. Gentleman knows that there is not a guaranteed price but a fall-back, or support price, and the support price at this time of the year is between £13 and £14 a ton.

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