Captain A. Evansasked the With regard to the last part of the question, the herds most suitable Minister of Agriculture whether the appropriate consumers' committee has considered the recent practice adopted by the Potato Marketing Board of purchasing and selling potatoes of good quality in a speculative manner; and, if so, with what result?
1329W
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the recently published report by the Food Council for the year 1937 on pages 20–21 of which the Food Council discuss the various steps taken by the board to improve growers' prices. The personnel of the Consumers' Committee for Great Britain is the same as that of the Food Council.
Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any representations from the potato trade with regard to the action of the Potato Marketing Board in purchasing and selling potatoes; and whether he will take action to put a stop to this unless it is proved that the potatoes concerned are surplus to the requirements of the people of this country?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to recent replies which I have given on the subject.