§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if he is aware of the rise in, the price of potatoes; if he is aware that the price has been increased about 50s. per ton during the last two weeks; if he can state whether there is a big shortage of potatoes this year; and if 566W the Government intend bringing forward legislation dealing with the matter?
§ Colonel PERKINSasked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the announcement that there may be a rise in the price of potatoes of 3d. per pound, he has any information showing a shortage of supply; and whether, so far as his Department is aware, there is any justification for such a threatened increase?
Mr. WOODI am aware that there has recently been a marked increase in the price of potatoes. The total crop in Great Britain last season is estimated to have been 3,576,000 tons. This is probably rather below requirements at the normal rate of consumption, but is larger than in former recent years when any shortage was met by importations from abroad. The result of recent inquiries by the Ministry of Agriculture suggests that the quantity of potatoes left on farms in England and Wales at the beginning of this month was larger than in January, 1920, although the crop of 1923 was practically the same as that of 1919. With regard to the question of legislation, my right hon. Friend does not understand for what purpose legislation is desired, and he suggests that the hon. Member should repeat this part of his question in three weeks' time.