§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Food whether, before spending money on the erection of factories to convert surplus potatoes into cattle-food, he will arrange 989W to make certain that there are adequate supplies of potatoes in the country for human consumption between the present time and the harvesting of the 1940 crop; and whether, in view of the fact that the recent severe weather may ultimately cause widespread deterioration of potatoes stored in clamps, he will postpone for the time being any decision as to whether or not there will be any surplus potatoes at all during the present year?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonMy hon. Friend may rest assured that no action will be taken by my Department to divert to other purposes potatoes required for human consumption. It is not yet possible to form a final estimate of what surplus stocks will be held by farmers at the end of the present marketing season.