HC Deb 25 April 1944 vol 399 c642W
Lieut.-Colonel Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for the Potato Marketing Board either to pay for ware potatoes on the basis of their weight when freshly pitted, or to accept delivery before they have shrunken and sprouted through over-long retention in the pit.

Colonel Llewellin

Growers contracting to sell ware potatoes to my Department for end of season reserve have the option of being paid either for the estimated quantity in the pit at the time of inspection early in the season or for the quantity delivered late. Under the former method the risk of normal deterioration in store is borne by the Ministry and under the latter by the grower, Who then receives for the ware potatoes delivered a higher price calculated to offset normal shrinkage and wastage in the pit. My Department also pays an increased price to growers who are unable to find a market outlet for surplus ware potatoes where delivery is taken late in the season.