§ 14. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the members of the Potato Marketing Board; and what subjects were discussed.
§ Mr. MacGregorI am in regular touch with the members of the Potato Marketing Board through its chairman, whom I last met on 9 May. On that occasion our discussions covered a wide range of potato issues.
§ Mr. JannerDid the Minister's discussions include the price of potatoes, which is especially important as the price of fish and chips to take away has risen by 15 per cent. because of the Chancellor's intervention, which has raised the price of a basic food for the less well-off people in my constituency and throughout the country?
§ Mr. MacGregorI should make it clear to the hon. and learned Gentleman that, because of climatic and other conditions affecting the crop last year, there has been a shortage of supplies in recent months and weeks, which has led to the increased price of potatoes in shops. As the new potatoes come on to the market that shortage will end. The arrangements that we have announced for the Potato Marketing Board are designed to ensure reasonable continuity of supplies, and, therefore, reasonable prices for consumers.
§ Mr. Bill WalkerDoes my hon. Friend agree that the Potato Marketing Board's support mechanism price is way below the price that would be expected in the market place?
§ Mr. MacGregorBroadly speaking, that is correct.