HC Deb 23 January 1958 vol 580 cc1225-6
3. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the potato situation at present and the prospects for the future.

10. Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement in relation to the anticipated supplies of potatoes during 1958.

Mr. John Hare

Home-produced potatoes are at present supplying most of our needs but small quantities of potatoes are being imported, mainly from Belgium. Prices at all stages of distribution have remained at broadly the same level since the end of November. The Government hope that the home crop, supplemented by imports, will meet the needs of the market at reasonable prices until the 1958 early potato crop becomes available.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Minister aware that many people take a very dim view of the statement by the Chairman of the Potato Marketing Board that no imports of potatoes should have been allowed because there were plenty of potatoes in this country? Is he not aware that a statement like that, made despite the fact that in November the prices were rising sky-high because of the shortage suggests that the housewife was being unnecessarily fleeced? When does his Department intend to do something to protect housewives?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Member is hardly fair. Whatever dim view he or anyone else may take of what the Chairman of the Potato Marketing Board may have said, the point is that we have brought in imports.

19. Mr. Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from the interests concerned that all imported potatoes be labelled in the shops as foreign produce; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)

I have seen representations from one county branch of the National Farmers' Union. There can, however, be no reference to a standing committee under the Merchandise Marks Act unless there has been a formal application which substantially represents the interests of all potato producers. In the absence of such an application, there is no action that my right hon. Friend can take.

Mr. Kimball

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that if he receives a proper representation he will treat this matter as urgent? The potato producers in my own part of the world have certainly adopted a very responsible attitude towards the import of potatoes, and this seems to be a very reasonable safeguard they are demanding, and demanding as soon as possible.

Mr. Godber

Yes, we will give it as urgent consideration as we can, but there are procedures laid down under the Merchandise Marks Act which would make it impossible for me to promise any speedy decision on this. But if the feeling among producers is as my hon. Friend says, then I am sure that they would do well to make proper representation on behalf of all producers.