§ 52. Sir J. Duncanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the Potato Marketing Board have decided to buy surplus ware potatoes from farmers in a surplus year but have insufficient funds to do so; and what financial arrangements he has come to with the Board to enable them to carry out their declared policy, either by advances, by a system of sharing losses, or in any other way.
§ Mr. John HareIn announcing the change in the guarantee arrangements on 30th June, I said that the Potato Marketing Board would be at liberty to use deficiency payment monies for buying potatoes, and I understand that they intend to do so. I do not see why the Board should not be able to work out satisfactory arrangements for this purpose. My intention is that the arrangements for paying any monies due to the Board should be embodied in an agreement between the Board and the Government. Discussions with the Board are not yet completed, and I cannot anticipate the contents of the agreement.