Mr. NUGENTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state the result of the inquiries which have been made as to the prices being charged for potatoes by firms in Liverpool which have been importing under licence from Ireland; whether as much as £16 per ton has been demanded for Irish potatoes; if he will state the number and give the names of the firms which were licensed to export, potatoes to Great Britain prior to the 17th June.; and what licences to export potatoes have since been granted?
Mr. BRIDGE MANIt appears that prices have been charged in Liverpool in excess of those authorised by the Potatoes (Prices) Order, and proceedings have been instituted. There is no evidence that the price asked from retailers amounted to £16 per ton. Licences to export potatoes from Ireland were given by the Irish Department of Agriculture, and I have no detailed information as to the number of. licences or the names of the exporting firms.