HC Deb 03 June 1938 vol 336 cc2420-1W
Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the acreage of potatoes planted in Great Britain for the two years prior to the commencement of the Potato Marketing Board and for each subsequent year; and the average price per ton for the same years, imports and value, and the duties for each year since 1932?

Mr. W. S. Morrison:

The following is a statement showing the acreage of potatoes in Great Britain on agricultural holdings over one acre, the average price per ton at certain grower's markets in England and Wales and the total quantity and declared value of imports into the United Kingdom during the years 1932 to 1937.

Year. Acreage on agricultural holdings over 1 acre in Great Britain. Average price per ton at certain Growers' markets in England and Wales (a) Imports into the United Kingdom.
Quantity tons Declared Value£
Acres s. d.
1932 … … 653,000 141 6 778,020 5,748,787
1933 … … 671,000 63 6 196,404 2,063,403
1934 … … 628,000 68 6 518,852 2,091,052
1935 … … 594,000 84 6 190,084 2,778,933
1936 … … 590,000 123 0 316,378 3,082,600
1937 … … 591,000 121 0 222,308 2,282,764
(a) Prices of King Edward and Majestic potatoes.
The following were the duties on imports of potatoes from foreign countries from 1932 to 1937:
New Potatoes.
5th January—29th February, 1932 … … … … … 18s. 8d. per cwt.
1 st March—31st March, 1932 … … … … … 9s. 4d. per cwt.
1st April—30th April, 1932 … … … … … 4s. 8d. per cwt.
1st May—27th July, 1932 … … … … … 10 per cent, ad val.
28th July—31st December, 1932 … … … … … £1 per ton.
1st November, 1932–30th June, 1933 thereafter:— … … … … … 4s. 8d. per cwt.
1st July—31st August … … … … … £2 per ton.
1st September—31st October … … … … … £1 per ton.
1st November—30th June … … … … … 4s. 8d. per cwt.
Potatoes, other than New.
1st March, 1932–27th July, 1932 … … … … … 10 per cent, ad val.
28th July, 1932–4th May, 1933 … … … … … £1 per ton.
5th May, 1933–31st August, 1933 thereafter until 25th March, 1936:— … … … … … £2 per ton.
1st September—30th June … … … … … £1 per ton.
1st July—31st August thereafter:— … … … … … £2 per ton.
26th March, 1936–30th June, 1936 … … … … … Free.
1st July—31st August … … … … … £2 per ton.
1st September—30th June … … … … … £1 per ton.
From the 15th November, 1932, to the 18th May, 1938 (both dates inclusive), imports of potatoes from Eire were subject to duties at the same rates as those from foreign countries.