§ 70. Mr. J. S. C. Reidasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the quantity of potatoes necessary to meet the new potato ration during the coming year is under 3½ million tons; what is his estimate of the quantity required otherwise for human consumption; and, in view of the estimated crop of over 8 million tons, why a larger ration is not available.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe estimated production of 8 million tons relates to the whole United Kingdom crop. Of this quantity, about 7,200,000 tons (including ware shipments from Northern Ireland) are available for use in Great Britain; but alowances for seed, chats, normal shrinkage and wastage in store, Services' needs and very small priority exports, reduce the quantity available by 2,625,000 tons and there is also usage since June to be78W taken into account in arriving at the quantity now available for distribution