§ Sir P. Hurdasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the difficulties of small growers in disposing of the yields of their increased acreage of potatoes; and whether he will ease the position by giving these growers a greater freedom of sale?
§ Mr. MabaneAny grower who is unable to sell his ware potatoes to a licensed buyer may offer, not later than 31st March, 1943, his remaining stock for purchase by the Ministry at the appropriate fixed growers' price at the time of delivery. Growers of three acres of potatoes or less have been exempted from the arrangements recently made by my Department with a view to building up an end-of-season reserve. Under these arrangements large growers will be compelled to hold stocks for May, June and July next year. Small growers will thus be given a preferential market in earlier months. If my hon. Friend knows of any particular cases where small growers are unable to dispose of their potatoes I shall be glad if he will supply me with particulars. I must, however, explain that a general extension of the present licensing system would increase rather than reduce the difficulties of small growers by creating additional competition.