§ Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the total weights of potatoes imported into the United Kingdom in December and January; from which countries they came; and at what price.
§ Mr. HoyThe figures for December are as follows:
Country of Origin Quantity Value Average price per ton c.i.f (tons) £ £ Cyprus 2,175 67,602 31 Italy 369 31,033 84 Irish Republic 9 185 21 Canary Islands 8 506 63 Morocco 3 259 86 Netherlands 14 765 55 Canada …* …* — Total 2,578 100,368 39 Insignificant. Figures for January are not yet available, but in the last two years imports in January have been less than in December.
§ Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on intended landings of potatoes during February, March and April.
§ Mr. HoyI have no precise information except that there will be no imports of main crap potatoes this season. New potatoes are imported under open general licence and the quantity arriving during February, March and April will depend on the availability of supplies and on the demand. If the trend in recent years is maintained, imports during these months will be mainly from the Canary Islands.