§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the potato-using section of the community from a high price of potatoes at a time of shortage to correspond with the financial safeguards afforded to the potato growers in a time of surplus supply.
§ Mr. John HareIn the existing conditions of shortage of home-grown potatoes, the most urgent need is to obtain additional supplies. In December last, the Government decided to admit imports of maincrop potatoes, and I still welcome supplies from all sources which do not involve any risk of bringing in plant disease. But price control in present circumstances would discourage imports of potatoes which might otherwise be attracted to this market, and I do not consider it would be in the interests of potato users generally.