§ Mr. Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is satisfied that the markets made available for early potatoes from Lincolnshire are sufficient to ensure a reasonable clearance of the land and so enable farmrs to avoid an undue pressure of work till later in the year?
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. I am advised that with the increase in demand which may be expected to follow the recent reduction of price by subsidy, the present arrangements for marketing Lincolnshire potatoes provide a reasonable rate of clearance. My Department will however be prepared to consider applications to1096W facilitate clearance where it is in the national interest that land should be cleared.
§ Sir W. Allenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that there are thousands of tons of potatoes deteriorating in the ground in Northern Ireland; and what steps are being taken to use these potatoes for human or animal food?
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir, it is not a fact that thousands of tons of potatoes are deteriorating in the ground in Northern Ireland. I am informed that maximum quantities of new potatoes are being processed at all available factories either for human or animal consumption. I would refer to the reply which I gave on the 21st inst., to the hon. Member for Down (Dr. Little).