§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate for imports of potatoes for May and June from Cyprus, Spain and Egypt, respectively; and if he is satisfied that this is in the best interests of the British potato manufacturing industry and the housewife.
§ Mr. BishopThe Potato Marketing Board estimates that the figures will be as follows:
Tonnes Cyprus Spain* Egypt Total May 60,000 45,000 16,000 121,000 June 40,000 — — 40,000 100,000 45,000 16,000 161,000 * Including Canary Islands supplies of 5,000 tonnes in May. These levels of imports reflect our traditional trading pattern. Consumers expect to be able to purchase imported new potatoes in the spring and summer before our own early crop reaches the market, and some parts of the processing industry also require imported supplies when no suitable home-grown supplies are available.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the current price of potatoes demanded by the Potato Marketing Board is in the best interest of the British potato industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BishopI am satisfied that the price level at which the Potato Marketing Board is able to release contracted potatoes back on to the market is one which equitably balances the interests of consumers with those of taxpayers and producers and processors.