§ Mr. SMITH-CARINGTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the quantities of potatoes in the 2145W country and the fact that they are almost unsaleable, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of early potatoes from abroad until present stocks are appreciably reduced?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONThe action suggested by the hon. Member is precluded by the International Convention for the Abolition of Prohibitions and Restrictions on Imports and Exports.
§ Major CARVERasked the President of the Board of Trade the proportion of new potatoes included in the imports of potatoes into this country, as set out in the Board of Trade Returns for the months of January and February last?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMSeparate statistics of the imports of new potatoes are not available, but from an examination of the countries whence potatoes were consigned, it would appear that of the total imports of potatoes registered during January and February last, about 17 per cent. and 28 per cent., respectively, consisted of new potatoes. I may add that two-thirds of the total weight of potatoes imported during January and February were consigned from the Irish Free State.