§ Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Food what is the approximate anticipated total loss on the Consolidated Account for the potato and carrot division for the year 1948–49, including the £9,600,000 required in the Supplementary Estimate; and how much is allowed for subsidies paid direct on home-grown potatoes.
§ Mr. StracheyThe total loss on trading in potatoes and carrots for the year 1948–49 is estimated at £10 million, of which £1½ million relates to imported supplies and £8½ million to home-grown supplies. The latter loss is due largely to the necessity of implementing the guarantee of the grower' market at fixed prices; it does not include the acreage payments made direct to potato growers by the Agricultural Departments. There are no other direct subsidy payments on home-grown potatoes.