§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the surplus of 1939 potatoes; how much was collected from the wholesalers 1428W by way of levy to compensate growers for such surplus stocks; and what has been done with the money?
§ Mr. BoothbyExcept to the extent of 5,280 tons, which were purchased out of the Potato Fund for disposal to potato factories and owners of livestock, and 8,666 tons purchased for the British Expeditionary Force or sold to the French Food Mission, the whole of the 1939 potato crop found its way into consumption through the ordinary market channels. The total amount of levy collected to date is £257,386 9s. 3d., of which £223,710 11S. 8d. was collected from merchants and the remainder from other licencees. After allowing for the cost of administration and the losses sustained on the potato purchases, it is estimated that a net amount of approximately £194,000 will stand to the credit of the Fund as at the 31st July, 1940. This credit balance will be carried forward in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of the Potato (1939 Crop) (Charges) Order, 1940, to be applied, if necessary, towards the disposal of any surplus potatoes of this year's crop.