HC Deb 23 October 1950 vol 478 c305W
123. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food why the export licences for Arran Banner seed potatoes are being distributed 90 per cent. to Northern Ireland and only 10 per cent. to Great Britain, despite the fact that the acreages grown by each country are in the proportion of 65 per cent. to 35 per cent. respectively, and that before the war England exported more than four times the tonnage exported by Northern Ireland.

Mr. F. Willey

I cannot agree with the acreage or pre-war export figures quoted by the hon. Member. In addition to the comparative acreages, the quantities exported from Northern Ireland and Great Britain in the three years 1947–49 were also taken into account in arriving at this year's quotas.