§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action he will take to protect the consumer against rises in potato prices resulting from excess profit margins.
§ Mr. MaclennanI have already asked the Price Commision to continue the monitoring of potato prices and distributors' margins which they began in January. The current high prices are due to the shortage of supplies. The Price Commission has found no evidence that distributors generally have been exploiting the situation, but one firm which is engaged in both the growing and 779W the marketing of potatoes has been required to take action to eliminate excess profits.