asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the wholesale price of potatoes paid to farmers has varied during the last few years from 17s. to £14 per ton; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of fixing the prices at a uniform average rate or to adopt some method in order to avoid these extreme fluctuations in price?

I am aware that the prices received by farmers for their potatoes have varied considerably during the past few years, but I would remind the hon. Member that the highest prices were due to abnormal causes arising out of the War, while the present low prices are due to an unusually abundant crop this year. With regard to the last part of the question I think it is generally agreed that it would be undesirable to revert to the system of Government control of prices.