§ Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large dumps of sugar beet are lying alongside main roads in Yorkshire awaiting collection and in danger of being damaged or destroyed by frost; and whether emergency arrangements will be made to provide the necessary transport and storage accommodation to prevent any unnecessary loss on this account.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI fully recognise the risk of possible damage from frost to beet awaiting delivery to the factories and warnings have recently been issued both by the Ministry and by the National Farmers' Union, reminding farmers of the need to cover roadside clamps with bundles of straw or brushwood in severe weather. I am glad to have this opportunity of emphasising the need for protective measures of this kind. With the existing world shortage we cannot afford to lose any potential supplies of sugar from home sources. The provision of additional transport would not afford a satisfactory remedy because beet is already being delivered as fast as the factories can process it.