§ Mr. Knoxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1), from information available from international sources, what was the average grower return from potatoes expressed in pounds per ton ex-farm, in Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Italy during 1970 or the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; and what is the comparable figure for the United Kingdom;
(2) from information available from international sources, what was the average grower return from potatoes expressed in pounds per ton ex-farm, in the European Economic Community during 1970 or the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; and how this compares with the average return in the United Kingdom market.
§ Mr. PriorThe following figures give the best available information on potato 209W prices in European Economic Community Member States and in the United Kingdom. They relate to the 1969–70 crop-year: July/June for European Economic
Country Price Definition Average Price (£ per ton) Belgium … Producer price: from two regulating markets of the country 23.25 France … Wholesale price: Bintje grade 1, 40 mm; Paris (Rungis) 38.60 Germany … Producer price: potatoes for consumption: free at loading station; Hanover 25.36 Italy … Producer price: Turin 31.70 Netherlands … Wholesale price: grown in clay, Bintje 35 mm; Rotterdam 31.26 United Kingdom … Producer price: maincrop for human consumption 22.05