§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a general direction to the Potato Marketing Board, under Section 20 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958, to refrain from holding back old potatoes for dumping, in view of the effect this is having on the supply of potatoes to fish and chip shops in particular areas.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI understand that the Potato Marketing Board have not been holding back old potatoes from the market, but on the contrary have been actively encouraging producers with stocks of potatoes under contract to the Board to release them on to the market. It is always possible towards the end of the main crop season for some areas to be short of some qualities of old potatoes, and merchants who have difficulty in obtaining supplies should contact their local or divisional office of the Board.