§ 6. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that there is a sufficient importation of potatoes in augmentation of home supplies to permit a reduction in prices to the consumer.
§ Mr. GodberThe Government are allowing imports of maincrop potatoes from all sources acceptable under the Plant Health Regulations, and I am sure that the trade will continue to bring in the supplies needed to supplement the home crop. It is estimated that over 250,000 tons of imported main crop potatoes have already arrived this season compared with imports of about 45,000 tons by the same date last year.
§ Mr. WilleyBut looking forward, can the hon. Gentleman assure us that we shall have adequate imports? Does he realise that, unlike last year, our bad crop has not been shared by Continental countries, and we should have expected imports to hold the price? Further, is he aware that, complementary to the guarantee, there is a responsibility on the Government in times of shortage to hold the price and see that it remains reasonable?
§ Mr. GodberAs regards the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, obviously the only way in which supplies can be attracted to this country is by a price level sufficient to induce those supplies. As regards the first part, the wholesale price in this country has eased slightly over the last week or two, and I think it is clear that there are adequate supplies on the Continent and they should come in.