HC Deb 19 May 1942 vol 380 cc46-7W
Colonel Carver

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food when new potatoes will be available to the public; and what steps he has taken to ensure that there will be no lack of potatoes during the change over from the old to the new?

Major Lloyd George

Very small quantities of new potatoes from the Isles of Scilly were available in Bath and Exeter on 11th May. Supplies will reach other districts as the yield and the acreage ready for lifting increase. Special measures have been taken by the Ministry to purchase a reserve of long-keeping potatoes for use in June and July. The quantity bought exceeds 300,000 tons. Also, by regulating distribution, it has been possible to ensure that long-keeping potatoes are being held back for end-of-season use.