§ 2. Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the shortage and high price of potatoes to the public, he will take steps to increase supplies from the 1970 crop.
§ Mr. HoyThe great bulk of planting for the 1970 crop has now been completed. I have no reason to suppose that supplies will not meet the demand.
§ Mr. JoplingDoes not the right hon. Gentleman remember that over a year ago some of us on this side warned him about the danger of a shortage of potatoes this year, with consequent high prices, because his Government agreed to a quota acreage of 90 per cent. for last 1218 year's crop, which has been partly responsible for the high prices? Are not these high prices partly the Government's fault?
§ Mr. HoyNo. The acreages are agreed in consultation with the Potato Marketing Board and the N.F.U. The hon. Gentleman will remember that at the period he was complaining about 36,000 acres were not taken up because of bad weather.