§ Lady Megan Lloyd Georgeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken in the light of the expected surplus of potatoes.
§ Mr. PeartIt is too early to say what the precise size of the surplus will be, but the indications are that it will be large. With my approval and that of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Potato Marketing Board undertook a buying progamme during September and October and this has helped to steady prices so far this season. I have discussed with the Board the need to take further action and it is today announcing, with Government approval, a further buying programme which will run from 1st December to mid-January and also changes in the size of potatoes that may be marketed. The Board, with assistance from my Department, is also exploring all possible outlets for those potatoes in excess of our requirements for human consumption.