HC Deb 26 January 1965 vol 705 cc142-3W
Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will, in framing his annual Price Review, examine the margin between the price received by farmers and the price paid by housewives for potatoes; and whether he will institute investigation of middlemen's profits.

Mr. Peart

The Annual Review is concerned with the general economic condition and prospects of the agricultural industry, and a special investigation into distributors' margins would be outside the scope of the Review.

The whole subject of margins for fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, was examined by the Committee on Horticultural Marketing in 1957, and I see no change in conditions such as would justify the holding of a fresh inquiry.