§ 10. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that large quantities of seed potatoes sent by sea from Scotland to East Anglia arrived too late for planting this season and that a considerable proportion of them, in some cases amounting to one-third of the consignment, were contaminated by salt water; and whether he will take steps to ensure that in future seasons all Scotch seed potatoes travel to England by rail.
§ Mr. StracheyNo. All seed potatoes sent by sea from Scotland to East Anglia have been delivered for planting, which is still going on in some places. I am not aware of any salt water damage. Out of 110,000 tons sent by sea there have been complaints of one kind or another about 2,000 tons, It is always our aim to send as much as possible by rail, but transport difficulties and other factors make it necessary to carry a substantial quantity by sea.