asked the Minister of Food what quantity of last year's crop of swedes did his Department contract to buy from Scottish farmers, and at what price per ton; why were these contracts subsequently cancelled; and what is the total cost involved in respect of these cancellations so far as Scotland is concerned.

About 7,000 tons of swedes were contracted for in Scotland at £5 10s. per ton ex-farm. They were bought as part of an emergency reserve. This, fortunately, was not needed; but the contracts have not been cancelled, except at the growers' option. We are giving growers the chance of being released from their contracts, or buying back the swedes before we resell them ourselves. Final returns for all sales have not yet been received, so I cannot yet say what the cost of this "insurance" measure will be.

Is it likely to be £2 10s. a ton as a free gift to the farmers, allowing them to keep the swedes, for that is my information?

No, Sir, I could not say what the final financial outcome will be, but there will certainly be some cost—and we always knew there would be, if the swedes were not needed, as I am very glad to say they were not.

Were these meant to take the place of potatoes? Did the right hon. Gentleman think the people of this country would buy swedes instead of potatoes?

Yes, Sir, if there were not any potatoes.