§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of potatoes are still to be harvested.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is estimated that between 95,000 and 100,000 acres of potatoes in England and Wales remained unharvested on 1st December. This represents about 20 per cent. of the acreage of second earlies and main crop. The comparable figure for Scotland is about 5 per cent.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that many potato growers are short of labour for harvesting their main crop potatoes; and if he has consulted the Potato Marketing Board regarding releasing some of its staff to farmers for potato lifting.
§ Mr. SoamesI am aware that some potato growers are short of labour for harvesting their main crop potatoes and the Services have already provided assistance in a number of cases. As regards the second part of the Question, this is a domestic matter for the Board.