§ Mr. SKELTONasked the Minister of Agriculture the average wholesale prices received by the British producer and the retail prices charged to the consumer for potatoes in the months of October to March, respectively, in the seasons 1924–25 and 1925–26?
Mr. GUINNESSI have no information which would enable me to state the average prices received by farmers for the country generally. The average prices realised by farmers for certain classes of potatoes "free on rail" in the Wisbech district, the average wholesale prices in seven large towns in England and Wales, and the average retail prices in the United Kingdom in the months 445W October to March 1924–25 and 1925–26 respectively have been as follow:
— 1924–25. 1925–26. Per ton. Per ton. Wisbwech district: s. d. s. d. Edward VII. 179 0 106 0 White Varieties 153 6 75 6 Wholesale Prices in large towns: Edward VII. 204 0 127 6 Arran Chief 173 0 97 0 Evergood 169 0 97 6 Majestic 177 0 103 6 Retail Prices* 271 0 186 6 (10 1/6d. per 7 lbs.) (7d. per 7 lbs. *Average of Prices on first day of each month November to April.