§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to alleviating the anticipated scarcity of potatoes next spring; and what decisions have been taken in this respect.
Mr. AmoryAs a result of a reduction in the acreage planted this year and a light crop following the dry summer, retail prices of home-grown potatoes and the prices being received by growers are considerably higher than they were at this time last year. It is still too early to make a reliable estimate of the probable balance of supply and demand over the whole marketing season, but present prospects suggest that imports will be required. If these prospects are confirmed by the estimates which I expect shortly, imports will be licensed.