HC Deb 02 April 1965 vol 709 c283W
Sir R. Russell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if in future he will allow the whole winter crop of Cyprus potatoes, amounting to about 12,000 tons, to be imported into Great Britain, in view of its small size in relation to total United Kingdom imports and its importance to Cyprus farmers.

Mr. Hoy

Imports of main crop potatoes are permitted only when our home crop is insufficient to meet demand; we cannot undertake to make an exception in favour of any one country. That part of the Cyprus winter crop, however, which can satisfy the definition of new potatoes in our import licensing regulations can enter the United Kingdom without restriction as to quantity and free of duty. Taking the winter and spring crops together, in 1964 we imported 85,000 tons of Cyprus new potatoes.