§ 71. Mr. G. R. Howardasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of this season's experience, he will give an assurance that imports of foreign new potatoes will be strictly regulated from 15th May, 1953, providing that he has evidence that home-grown new potatoes are ready for the market at that time.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Sir H. Roper) on 28th, and to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Hayman) on 29th July. I have now decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food that, if the seasonal suspension of the open general licence should still be necessary in 1953, imports of early potatoes shall be restricted from 16th May to 31st July. This period, and in168W particular the earlier date, will, as usual, be subject to the supplies available from home production.