Potatoes (Hansard, 19 January 1976)

§ Mr. Cryer
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the level of potato prices and the work of the Potato Marketing Board; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Bishop
On prices, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Taylor) on 14th January. I am satisfied that the Potato Marketing Board has taken what action was open to it to alleviate the situation by relaxing the normal riddle sizes and drawing attention to the need for orderly marketing. But action by the Board could not make good the estimated shortfall in home production this season compared with last.—[Vol. 902, c. 169–70.]

§ Mr. Cryer
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation requiring potato processors to use imported potatoes for the bulk of their demand.

§ Mr. Bishop
In view of the limited supplies of potatoes of suitable quality at 341W present obtainable from overseas any such legislation would be impracticable.

§ Mr. Cryer
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were

1975

MONTHLY AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICKS OF HOME PRODUCED POTATOES IN ENGLAND AND WALES

£ per cwt.

January February March April May June

Potatoes (Main Crop):

King Edward VII produced in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire … 2.09 1.91 1.94 2.34 2.76 4.14

Other districts … 1.99 1.90 1.96 2.28 2.68 4.42

Other red potatoes … 1.86 1.73 1.73 2.15 2.53 4.07

Whites … 1.75 1.58 1.62 2.11 2.47 4.08

Potatoes (New):

Produced in:

Pembroke … — — — — … 8.38

Cornwall, Scilly Isles … — — — … 10.41 8.29

Other districts — — — 8.79

£ per cwt.

July August September October November December

Potatoes Main Crop):

King Edward VII produced in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire … … 5.92 4.93 5.17 5.77 7.05

Other districts … — 5.82 4.63 5.13 5.78 7.12

Other red potatoes … — 5.76 4.67 4.93 5.50 6.80

Whites … … 5.57 4.47 4.75 5.37 6.65

Potatoes (New):

Produced in:

Pembroke … 8.62 — — — — —

Cornwall, Scilly Isles … … — — — — —

Other districts … 6.93 — — — — —

… Negligible quantities marketed

Figures are provision

1975
MONTHLY AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICKS OF HOME PRODUCED POTATOES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
£ per cwt.
		January	February	March	April	May	June
Potatoes (Main Crop):
King Edward VII produced in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire	…	2.09	1.91	1.94	2.34	2.76	4.14
Other districts	…	1.99	1.90	1.96	2.28	2.68	4.42
Other red potatoes	…	1.86	1.73	1.73	2.15	2.53	4.07
Whites	…	1.75	1.58	1.62	2.11	2.47	4.08
Potatoes (New):
Produced in:
Pembroke	…	—	—	—	—	…	8.38
Cornwall, Scilly Isles	…	—	—	—	…	10.41	8.29
Other districts				—	—	—	8.79

£ per cwt.
		July	August	September	October	November	December
Potatoes Main Crop):
King Edward VII produced in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire	…	…	5.92	4.93	5.17	5.77	7.05
Other districts	…	—	5.82	4.63	5.13	5.78	7.12
Other red potatoes	…	—	5.76	4.67	4.93	5.50	6.80
Whites	…	…	5.57	4.47	4.75	5.37	6.65
Potatoes (New):
Produced in:
Pembroke	…	8.62	—	—	—	—	—
Cornwall, Scilly Isles	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
Other districts	…	6.93	—	—	—	—	—
… Negligible quantities marketed
Figures are provision