§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what acreage has been devoted to potato growing in the United Kingdom in 1975; and how this compares with 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. BishopI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon.
WHOLESALE PRICES—ENGLISH NEW POTATOES IN 56 LB. BAGS. 14th July 1975 15th July 1974 16th July 1973 London … … … … £3.00–£3.80 £1.00–£1.15 80p–95p Manchester … … … … £3.70–£4.00 95p—£1.10 95p—£1.20 Birmingham … … … … £3.20–£3.80 95p—£1.10 75p—£1.05 Bristol … … … … £3.20–£3.50 £1.00–£1.20 70p—£1.00 Leeds … … … … £3.00–£3.50 £1.00–£1.20 £1.20–£1.50
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps are being taken to alleviate the current shortage of potatoes by imports (a) from EEC countries and (b) from other sources;
(2) what restrictions are placed on the imports of potatoes from (a) France, (b) Holland and (c) other EEC countries.
§ Mr. BishopIn line with the United Kingdom's policy of achieving self-sufficiency in maincrop potatoes, imports of maincrop are normally prohibited. In any event, the maincrop season has now336W Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) on 11th July—[Vol. 895, c. 302.]
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of potatoes was imported from Cyprus in June; what is the estimated level of imports in July; and how these figures compare with the same period in 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. BishopAccording to Overseas Trade Statistics imports of new potatoes from Cyprus in June and July 1973 and 1974 were as follows:
1973: Tons June … … … 87,957 July … … … 367 1974: June … … … 61,937 July … … … 1,140 Figures are not yet available for June and July this year, but total imports from Cyprus this season are estimated to be lower than last because of a poor crop.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current wholesale price of potatoes (a) in London and (b) in English provincial markets; and how this compares with the same period in 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. BishopThe information is as follows:
reached its end. Except in September and October new potatoes may be imported without quantitative restriction from those EEC countries which are able to meet the requirements of our plant health legislation. These requirements permit imports of new potatoes from the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the Republic of Ireland at any time and from France, Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany at specified periods. Supplies are being sought by the trade from sources within and outside the Community to which plant health restrictions do not currently apply, but opportunities from 337W such sources are very limited at the present time.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the forward planning of the Potato Marketing Board in relation to seasonal supply and demand and the impact of adverse weather conditions.
§ Mr. BishopMy Department and the Potato Marketing Board aim to ensure that supplies of home-produced potatoes are sufficient to meet requirements. Once the crop is planted, no amount of forward planning or meteorological advice can counteract the effect of exceptional weather conditions on potatoes in the ground.