§ 15. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the recent further increases in the price of potatoes, what steps he will take to ensure additional supplies.
§ Mr. John HareSpecial arrangements were made during the difficult period in May and early June to allow potatoes to be imported from Continental countries 656 after the dates which would normally be acceptable for plant health reasons. But supplies of new potatoes from the home crop and the Channel Islands are now increasing rapidly and prices have already fallen significantly. There should soon be ample supplies in the shops at reasonable prices.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Sunderland Chamber of Trade—which is a very well-informed body—tells me that it is felt that unnecessarily large profits are being made somewhere in the chain of distribution? Does not he realise that there is a considerable amount of complaint from all quarters? In view of those complaints, will be institute an inquiry into these allegations in order to find out how well founded they are?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member knows quite well that the chief trouble was a general shortage of potatoes. That has not been helped by the dock strike. It may be that during this difficult period prices have gone up, but now that good supplies are coming in I hope to see prices return to a far more reasonable level.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Minister aware that the price of potatoes went up to 1s. 4d. a lb.—or a penny an ounce—which is an all-time record? My authority for this figure is that well-known character, Cassandra, of the Daily Mirror.