§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there will be adequate supplies of potatoes from the 1969 crop, in view of his decision to allow only 85 per cent. of the standard acreage to be grown; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoyProduction depends on yield as well as acreage and it is too early to forecast the likely yield for the 1969 crop. As I explained in reply to the hon. Member on 22nd and 27th January, the Potato Marketing Board's 1969 quota was calculated to secure plantings consistent with the United Kingdom acreage required to meet the demand for main crop potatoes if yields were not significantly below the expected level.—[Vol. 776, c. 47 and c.251.]