6. The extent of the potential loss is approximately 500,000 tons of potatoes, less such quantity as would have been marketed from this area under normal conditions during the months of August and September. This deduction, I am advised, would not be more than 250,000 tons, leaving a net loss of say 250,000 tons. In order to measure the damage, however, we must take into account the potential loss of the remainder of the Wash area potatoes, estimated at about 600,000 tons. The saving of 250,000 tons is obviously a matter of greater importance when we know that, in the event of their loss, we should also lose another 600,000 tons which it is not proposed that we should endeavour to save.