§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Agriculture why the Potato Marketing Board is seeking to put up the price of potatoes to the consumer by purchasing from farmers at prices ranging from 5s. to 15s. per ton above ruling market rates?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI understand that the Potato Marketing Board have recently offered to purchase from registered producers a limited quantity of potatoes with a view to preventing market prices from falling to unduly low levels. The prices offered by the board for immediate delivery are little above prevailing market rates. I should add that the average retail price of potatoes in January of this year was the same as in November last, before the board indicated their readiness to enter the market, and was about 14 per cent. lower than in January, 1937.