asked the Minister of Agriculture what answer he has returned to the protest from the Liverpool Fruiterers' Association against the rise in the price of potatoes due to import restrictions?

As the protest to which the hon. Member refers was only received this morning, no answer has yet been sent, but I may say that although there was a rise in prices of early potatoes last week owing to a slight gap between Spanish supplies and the commencement of the English crop, I understand that the market is now well supplied and that prices have fallen very considerably over the week-end.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prices are now much lower, namely, 14s. instead of 26s., as it was at the week-end, solely because there was no demand at that price?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rise in potatoes took place after the unfortunate frost, and that it has only been temporary; and is he also aware that prior to the 17th May potatoes were sold in Liverpool Market at £2 per ton, which is 30s. below the cost of production?

I think that those facts are substantially correct.

If the right hon. Gentleman's wife had bought potatoes last week-end, she would soon have found that my hon. Friend's statement was correct.