§ Mr. JOHN DENNISasked the Food Controller whether his attention has been drawn to a statement publicly made by the zonal chairman for the Holland Division of Lincolnshire, that out of 267,000 tons of potatoes grown within his area only 30,000 tons had been removed up to the1st January, 1919; whether he is aware that the labour available in the district is altogether insufficient to move these potatoes and to carry on the necessary seeding operations on the farms during the coming spring; and whether he will take immediate steps to remove at least 15,000 tons per week during the four weeks next ensuing?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, every effort is being made to load potatoes as fast as is compatible with the demand and with the capacity of the railways to move them. I cannot guarantee to lift a stated quantity of potatoes per week from any definite area, but I can assure the hon. Member that every effort will be made to have as large a quantity of potatoes of the less keepable varieties loaded as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. DENNISasked the Food Controller if he will state what were the stocks of potatoes belonging to the Ministry of Food on 1st February, 1919, in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; what proportion of this tonnage consists of sound ware and under-sized potatoes, respectively; what are the estimated requirements of the Ministry of Food for the purposes of human consumption between 1st February, 1919 and 30th June, 1919; and to what purpose he proposes to put those potatoes not so consumed or used for seed purposes?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Returns of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries of the 1145W stocks on 1st February, 1919, are not yet available. As soon as they are received, I will cause a statement, including these stocks and the estimated requirements for the period in question, to be forwarded to the hon. Member. As regards the last part of the question, arrangements have already been made for the export of large quantities of potatoes to European countries, and other outlets are under attention.
§ Mr. DENNISasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that many thousands of tons of unsound ware potatoes exist in the potato clamps of this country; whether such potatoes at the present time constitute excellent food for cattle; whether, if not used for this purpose, they will rapidly become rotten and valueless; whether he considers it advisable, that these potatoes should be immediately utilised for cattle-feeding purposes; and whether he will issue instructions fixing a price at which farmers can acquire these potatoes from the Ministry of Food?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Food Controller is aware that as a result of blight the quantity of unsound potatoes in the clamps is in excess of the normal; and is certainly of the opinion that these potatoes should be used for cattle feeding where possible. There is nothing to prevent the farmer from at once selling unsound potatoes or using them for his cattle, and in order to avoid any misunderstanding, I will have a further notice issued to farmers on this subject. I may add that the question whether the farmer has a claim against the Ministry for abnormal wastage will be settled by the Ministry in each case.
Captain COOTEasked the Food Controller whether, in view of the fact that great hardship is being caused, particularly to small holders, in disposing of the potato crop which they were encouraged by the Ministry of Food to grow, he can now state definitely the policy of the Government with regard to this matter?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe policy of the Ministry of Food in regard to potatoes is to reduce the surplus throughout the country as quickly as possible, and large quantities of potatoes are being exported to France and other destinations. If the hon. Member will be good enough to give particulars of any case in which great hardship is being caused to a small holder, I will have inquiries made.
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