§ 64. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the steps taken by his Department since the outbreak of the War have resulted in any increase of food production in the United Kingdom; and, if so, what is the extent of such increase?
§ Mr. ACLANDThere are no statistics which would enable the increase in the total quantity of food to be measured, but some indication may be obtained from the annual returns of crops and live stock. Thus the average of the two wheat crops of 1915 and 1916 in England and Wales was about 400,000 quarters mores than the crop of 1914, while the total number of cattle increased by 340,000, and the total number of sheep by 700,000 between June, 1914, and June, 1916. On the other hand, there has been a reduction by some 50,000 of cows and heifers and a reduction of about 300,000 in the number of pigs. The production of potatoes was also less both in 1915 and 1916 than in 1914. Generally, however, it may be said that the production of food in the United Kingdom has been well maintained in the face of very great difficulties, and within the conditions which were imposed by circumstances the Board believe that the steps they have taken have contributed to this result.