§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the export ban on ware potatoes is to be lifted.
§ Mr. BuchanThe ban will be lifted as from midnight on 31st May, as announced when it was originally imposed by the previous administration. At the same time, the special arrangements for imports of maincrop ware potatoes will lapse. As the House will know from my answer to a Question on 1st May from my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Torney)— [Vol. 872, c. 475.]—action has been taken to ensure that any surplus arising from the ban is bought in, and to avoid fluctuations in supplies and prices. The best available assessments of the supply situation suggest that there will be sufficient old crop potatoes to meet demand for the remainder of the season.