HC Deb 29 January 1976 vol 904 cc651-2
5. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of potatoes were grown in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. Bishop

The acreage planted to potatoes in the United Kingdom was as follows: 1973, 555,000 acres; 1974, 532,000 acres; 1975, 504,000 acres provisional. The percentage reduction in 1975 was broadly in line with that in the preceding years, and with normal yields supplies would have been in balance.

Mr. Lawrence

I appreciate the effect of last summer on the potato crop. Is the Minister of State aware that the reduced acreage in 1975 had something to do with the inadequate guarantee price for 1975? Will the hon. Gentleman see that the returns offered to growers this year reflect the true cost of production? Does he not agree that it is by encouraging farmers to grow more potatoes that prices to housewives can be reduced?

Mr. Bishop

What matters is not just the target acreage, but the acreage planted. This depends on a large number of factors—including bad harvests, labour difficulties, the competitiveness of alternative crops, and the amount of capital investment required in the potato industry.

Mr. Loyden

Is my hon. Friend aware that the suppliers of seed potatoes have been selling them for immediate consumption? Does he accept that that amounts to an act of irresponsibility, because it will affect next year's crop? What steps is he taking to curtail these activities?

Mr. Bishop

I said earlier that the price control of seed potatoes could lead to a diversion of supplies to other areas. The price of seed and main crop potatoes is consistent with the shortfall that has overtaken us. There has been a severe shortage. We believe that the steps we have taken to ban the export of potatoes, to lift import bans and to change riddle sizes will assist the situation. Although we have taken these steps, there can be no guarantee that they will obviate the shortfall.

Mr. Freud

Until there is an adequate supply of home-grown potatoes, will the Minister confirm that he will not interfere with the purchase of foreign-grown potatoes used by the potato-processing industry in my constituency?

Mr. Bishop

Suspension of the common external tariff on main crop potatoes has been agreed. The import of foreign potatoes depends on plant health and other safeguards.

Mr. Cryer

Will my hon. Friend accept that there is considerable anxiety among housewives and proprietors of fish and chip shops about the large quantities of potatoes being bought by large-scale users leading to an inevitable reduction in supplies? Does not this result in higher prices? Will he assure the House that he is pursuing the matter with the Potato Marketing Board? Is he satisfied that the Board is using its best endeavours to achieve a stable price?

Mr. Bishop

Some farmers sell their crop on the market as soon as it is lifted, but a far greater proportion of the main crop is put into store for release throughout the season. Orderly marketing is essential at this time if supplies are to continue. On the question of price stabilisation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the comments of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection in her speech to the National Farmers Union last week when she said that any action by the Government or the trade to restrict prices artificially would encourage consumption and lead to a rundown of stocks which we need to market in an orderly way.