§ Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can make a statement on the potato crop and the difficulties experienced in marketing it; and to what extent the prices are expected to rise in consequence of disease among the potatoes.
Mr. HudsonA record acreage of potatoes has been grown this year. The yield is estimated to be up to average. Lifting has been interrupted by unfavourable weather, but the shortages in loadings have been made good from Ministry of Food reserve stocks. Blight has appeared in some varieties, but so far the crop as a whole is not seriously affected. No alteration in the prices already announced is contemplated.