§ 108. Mr. Challenasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that when the marketing of the 1945 potato crop was in the hands of the trade, consumer needs were adequately met by a regular flow of supplies to the market, but that since his Department has intervened in the matter of potato trading, many areas have periodically been unable to obtain sufficient potatoes to satisfy demand; and whether arrangements will now be made to ensure that future potato crops will be handled by the trade without unnecessary interference.
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§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. The difficulties in potato distribution which occurred this spring were due in the main to the cold wet weather which maintained the demand for potatoes at an unusually high level and delayed the arrival of the new crop. But for the action of my Department in building up a reserve of long-keeping potatoes the difficulties would have been much greater and I intend to continue this policy next year.