HC Deb 23 April 1934 vol 288 c1372
23. Dr. HOWITT

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to make an estimate of the increase in production of vegetable produce in Great Britain since 1931; the numbers employed in that industry in 1933 compared with those in 1931; and the amount of wages paid in those two years?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The returns received from occupiers of one acre and over in 1933 showed as compared with 1931 that the area under vegetable crops increased by 14,125 acres to 197,970 acres in England and Wales. It is well known that there has been in addition substantially increased glasshouse production, but I regret that I am not able to give any estimate of this or of the extent to which employment and wages have been affected.