HC Deb 19 November 1947 vol 444 cc182-3W
65. Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Minister of Food whether, under the potato rationing scheme, it is permissible for the consumer to insist that he shall get his three pounds of potatoes in good condition and' without any material addition of dirt; and what instructions are being given in this connection.

72. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has made to secure that, when potatoes unfit for consumption are sold as part of the potato ration, such potatoes are replaced by others.

74. Major Lloyd

asked the Minister of Food what instructions he has issued to greengrocers concerning the replacement of potatoes sold to the public and found unfit to eat.

Mr. Strachey

When selling potatoes for human consumption growers must exclude diseased tubers, soil and growth shoots. This year the crop is generally sound and clean and there should be little difficulty in complying with this rule, particularly as a tolerance of 6 lb. per cwt. is allowed to the grower and a further 1 lb. to the greengrocer.

73. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Food whether, in order to ensure that the potato ration is available to all consumers, he will arrange for proper allocation to retailers on the lines of the successful tomato allocation scheme.

Mr. Strachey

I do not feel that the work involved in assessing retailers' entitlements of potatoes, on lines similar to those of the tomato scheme, would be justified for a scheme which, it is hoped, will be in operation only for a comparatively short time.

76. Lady Grant

asked the Minister of Food whether he will reconsider and improve the new allocation of potatoes to fish friers, owing to the hardship caused to this industry, and to the public, by such a reduction.

Mr. Strachey

I shall be happy to consider any new proposals that the National Federation of Fish Friers may make for sharing our supplies, but I am afraid it is not possible to increase the total quantity allowed to fish friers.

Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that potatoes are now rationed, he will take steps to ensure that no mud or rotten potatoes are included in the ration.

Mr. Strachey

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Members for the Isle of Wight (Sir P. Macdonald), Kingston - upon - Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter), and East Renfrew (Major Lloyd).