§ Mr. Macquistenasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can give an assurance that the stocks accumulated by the Government under the Essential Commodities Reserve Act will not be released without ample notice, and taking all possible steps to prevent a dislocation of the existing markets; and' whether he will consider ensuring that similar safeguards are applied to the stocks of potatoes which it is now contemplated that the Potato Marketing Board will be permitted to accumulate?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe assurance for which my hon. and learned Friend asks in regard to the liquidation of stocks acquired under the Essential Commodities Reserves Act is provided by Sub-section 3-of Section 2 of the Act. Such small purchases as the Potato Marketing Board may make under their powers to buy 2215W surplus potatoes are in a different category, but in liquidating any stocks held by them it would obviously be to the advantage of the board to do their utmost to avoid disturbance of the market.