HC Deb 19 January 1978 vol 942 cc654-5
11. Mr. Wiggin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will next meet the Chairman of the Potato Marketing Board.

Mr. Bishop

I am in frequent touch with the Chairman of the Potato Marketing Board but have no meeting arranged at present.

Mr. Wiggin

Is it not about time that the Government made a statement on the Board's future? After the chaotic situation at the end of the past season, this question is impinging upon the confidence of producers as they have no knowledge of the Board's future.

Mr. Bishop

My right hon. Friend has applied very strong pressure in the Community in order to get the new regime under way and defined, but there is still some way to go in negotiations. We have given assurances to the potato industry that the guarantee for the 1977 crop will be honoured.

Sir David Renton

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, unless the uncertainty about the marketing of next season's potato crop is removed very soon, there will not be enough potatoes to market?

Mr. Bishop

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman will realise, it is important that any changes in the regime must still result in the producers having confidence to produce and in ensuring at the same time reasonable prices for the consumers. Those are the basic points in our negotiations.