§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food (1) what estimate he has formed of the surplus of potatoes arising from the 1953 crop after meeting all human demands from the United Kingdom population; and how the surplus is to be disposed of, other than for animal feed;
(2) what estimate he has formed of the sums that he will recover in respect of the sale of potatoes from the 1953 crop after providing for all human consumption in the United Kingdom; and what is the anticipated loss, per ton, of surplus potatoes sold for animal feed or for purposes other than for human consumption.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere will be a substantial surplus of potatoes from the 1953 crop, but it is not possible to form a reliable estimate until the trend of human consumption, seed requirements, and the extent of deterioration due to the abnormally warm weather can be seen more clearly. Nor is it yet possible to say what will be the loss per ton incurred in the disposal of surplus potatoes but owing to the large crop £5 million more is provided for in the Supplementary Estimates of my Department on account of the potato subsidy. Apart from sales of surplus potatoes for stock-feed, efforts are being made to stimulate exports. Surplus potatoes are also being processed for animal feed.
127W
§ Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Food (1) whether, in view of the surplus of potatoes arising from the 1953 crops, he will permit sales to processors, after meeting human and animal demands;
(2) what plans he is making, in view of the intention of Her Majesty's Government to re-establish a Potatoes Marketing Board, to enable food processors to participate in supplies arising from the surplus of potatoes from the 1953 and 1954 crops.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeFood processors regularly use substantial quantities of potatoes, and their needs are met from
Retail coal prices in the main margin areas of England and Wales: AVERAGE MERCHANTS' MARGINS ON SELECTED DATES Per Ton Region 31st Dec, 1945 6th March, 1947 15th May, 1950 1st June, 1951 1st April, 1952 10th Sept., 1953 7th January, 1954 s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Northern … … … 12 1 13 9 14 6 16 8 17 6 18 1 20 6 North Western … … 15 2 16 10 17 8 19 5 20 3 20 10 23 1 North Eastern … … 15 5 17 1 18 0 20 3 21 1 21 8 22 6 North Midland— (a) Lincolnshire … … 15 11 18 5 19 4 23 0 23 10 24 5 26 6 (b) Rest … … … 15 11 17 2 18 1 21 9 22 7 23 2 25 3 Midland … … … 15 2 16 0 16 9 19 11 20 9 2! 4 23 7 Wales, North … … 15 10 16 8 20 1 21 8 22 0 22 7 22 7 Wales, South … … 15 4 16 7 17 5 20 10 21 8 22 3 22 3 Eastern … … … 18 7 20 3 21 9 23 9 24 7 25 2 26 5 London … … … 20 6 20 6 23 0 25 1 25 5 25 9 26 2 South Eastern— (a) Kent … … … 18 4 21 8 23 9 25 10 26 8 27 3 30 8 (b) Surrey and Sussex … 18 8 22 0 24 1 26 2 27 0 27 7 30 8 Southern … … … 17 3 19 9 23 3 25 9 26 7 27 2 29 7 South Western— (a) Devon and Cornwall 17 2 18 10 20 2 24 3 25 1 26 1 29 1 (b) Rest … … … 15 2 16 10 18 2 22 3 23 1 24 1 26 0 Notes: 1. The margin shown covers all costs of distribution by the merchant as ascertained at the dates indicated. 2. The margin includes an allowance for interest on capital, provisions for reserves, profit, etc., of 1s. 0d. per ton in 1945–1950, 1s. 6d. per ton in 1951 to October, 1953, and 2s. 3d. per ton from dates in November or December, 1953, or January, 1954.