asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the view of the potato holesalers of this country that it is impossible to operate the new schedule allowing the growers to charge 5s. more per ton while refusing the purchasers bower to recoup their reasonable outlay by charging more than the official maximum price; and what action he proposes to take?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether be is aware that there is an acute shortage of potatoes in various large industrial centres: and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this position?

I am aware that a temporary shortage of potatoes exists in a number of districts owing to the abnormal weather conditions. To remedy this situation an Order was issued last week increasing maximum prices to growers by 5s. per ton so as to enable merchants, in districts where the existing maximum prices had already been reached, to offer an additional inducement to growers to face the cost of opening their Potato clamps, with the attendant risk of injury to the potatoes by exposure to frost. It was impossible, in view of the urgency of the matter, to make any corresponding adjustment in wholesale and retail prices, but new revised schedules, embracing growers' wholesale and retail prices, are now under consideration and will be issued shortly.