§ Mr. Holtasked the President of the Board of Trade why, at a time of potato shortage and rising prices in this country, he has altered the regulations, Notice to Importers No. 758, so as to prevent cheaper potatoes reaching the people of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have in fact done the opposite. As regards the reasons for the amendment to the open general licence announced in Notice to Importers No. 758, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks) on 17th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The hon. Member may not be aware that imports of main crop potatoes are at present being allowed under open individual licences and I am sending him a copy of Notice to Importers No. 763 which explains the position.