§ Mr. Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the potato crop for the current season and the yield expected, with a comparison with previous years.
§ Mr. Hugh D. BrownIt is too early to forecast the likely size of this season's crop as this is dependent on weather conditions during the next few months. Plantings by registered producers in Great Britain are at present estimated at more than 190,000 hectares compared with 189,000 hectares in 1974 and 180,000 hectares in 1975. In Scotland the planted area is somewhat higher than last year and growing conditions have so far been favourable. Total production in Great Britain was 6,494,000 tonnes in 1974 and 4,292,000 tonnes in 1975.