§ Captain SPENDER CLAYasked the average quantity of hops grown per acre in England per annum during the quinquennium beginning in 1905 and ending in 1909; what was the average yield per acre per annum during the corresponding 1313 quinquennium fifty years ago, from 1855 to 1859; and the average increase or decrease shown in the yield of hops per acre per annum for last quinquennium as compared with corresponding quinquennium fifty years ago?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe average annual quantity of hops grown per acre in England during the five years 1905–9 was 9.3 cwts. No official returns are available for the years 1855 to 1859, and it is not possible therefore to give the information for which the hon. and gallant Member asks in the latter part of his question.
§ Captain SPENDER CLAYAre not the Cambridge statistics considered to be the best available for the purpose?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI do not think so.