HC Deb 26 June 1968 vol 767 cc80-1W
Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that current imports of potatoes are seriously threatening returns to early potato growers; and if he will take steps to limit such imports.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

Since the first week in June prices for early potatoes have been lower for this time than for some years past. This has been due, first, to weather conditions which caused the earliest crops from the south and west to overlap with the eastern counties crops which usually arrive a fortnight later, and second, to the increase of about 7,000 in the acreage planted to first earlies. Imports—most of which arrive before mid-May—have not been a critical factor. The potatoes which have arrived since mid-May are mostly from Cyprus; these compete more with the old crop than with the new.

Mr. Nott

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price prevailing in the market for early potatoes in the first week of June 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Mr. Hoy

The most usual wholesale prices for home grown early potatoes in England and Wales during the first week of June in 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968 were 44s., 84s., 84s. and 74s. per cwt. respectively; but wholesale prices for early potatoes vary daily and widely in early June.