§ Dr. Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will order an inquiry to be held into the loss to farmers in Northern Ireland, through conforming to the Ministry's regulations, regarding the raising and sale of early potatoes; and whether he will take immediate steps to see that these potatoes are purchased from the producers at once and compensation paid for the loss incurred?
§ Mr. MabaneMy Noble Friend cannot accept the implication that farmers in Northern Ireland have suffered any loss through conforming to my Department's Order prescribing conditions of sale and prices for new potatoes, nor does he consider that any inquiry is necessary. Adequate arrangements have been made for the purchase of surplus early potatoes and by the end of this month the surplus will probably have been cleared. The Regulations relating to the raising of early potatoes to which my hon. Friend refers were not made by my Department.