§ 33. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the clearance of the early potato crop; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NobleLifting of the crop in the traditional early potato growing areas of the south-west of Scotland (mainly Ayrshire and Wigtownshire) began on the 13th June. It is estimated that so far about a quarter has been cleared. I understand that lifting is continuing at a slow rate as weather conditions permit and according to demand. I realise that the situation is causing concern.
§ Mr. BrewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that in Wigtownshire about one-quarter of the crop is being lifted compared with two years ago and that the price is now considerably below the cost of production? Is not this caused entirely by unnecessary imports? For example, even last week a cargo of 600 tons of early potatoes came to Leith from Cyprus, and many more than that the week before? Will my right hon. Friend look carefully at this question of imports and in particular at why it is necessary to reduce the tariff from £9 to £2 a ton on 1st July every year?
§ Mr. NobleI shall, of course, keep these points in mind, but it is a fact that we have imported considerably less potatoes this year than either last year or the year before, and I think my hon. Friend also realises that there is a considerable public demand for new potatoes often before our own are ready to be lifted.
§ 35. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist the growers of early potatoes in Scotland.
§ Mr. NobleAssistance for home growers of new potatoes is afforded by the tariff which varies according to the season. Imports are tapering off and the main problem now stems from the delayed marketing of the home crop.
§ Mr. HughesWhat was the cause of the delayed marketing of the home crop? Was it not due to the fact that the Government allowed these big imports of potatoes from the Commonwealth and other countries? There is practically no regu- 1240 lation of imports at the vital time when these Scottish potatoes come on the market. Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that if there has to be some arrangement with other countries, the imports should be so regulated that the growers of Ayrshire potatoes know exactly what the position is likely to be?
§ Mr. NobleThe hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that one of the difficulties about the early potato crop is knowing, because of weather conditions, when it is likely to be ready to be lifted. As I have told my hon. Friend the Member for Galloway (Mr. Brewis), imports this year have been considerably below those for either last year or the year before.
§ Mr. BrewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that growers of early potatoes have to submit to an acreage quota? Surely this implies that they will get a reasonable market for what they produce?
§ Mr. NobleThis seems to be a question for the Potato Marketing Board, which I believe is meeting this afternoon and looking at the whole of this problem.
§ Sir F. MacleanIs my right hon. Friend aware that whereas the price of potatoes last year was £50 a ton this year it is £20, and that this hits the small grower very hard indeed?
§ Mr. NobleI fully appreciate this, but I have noticed this type of thing happening off and on for the last 25 years in areas which grow early potatoes.
§ Mr. BrewisIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is forestalled in the matter.