§ 20. Mr. K. Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, whether he will ask the Agricultural Research Council to investigate the detrimental effects of mechanical lift on the potato crop during the dry weather of 1959, so that full information can be made available to see whether any steps are desirable to prevent a recurrence of present serious losses.
§ Mr. John HareA pilot survey of the incidence of damage is being carried out on the 1959 crop by the Potato Marketing Board. The Agricultural Research Council is co-operating and account is being taken of damage to tubers and losses from the time of lifting in the field until retail sale. When the report of this 919 survey is completed consideration will be given to any aspects which call for further research.