HC Deb 08 February 1934 vol 285 c1302
71. Dr. HOWITT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of food supplies imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries and from British countries, respectively, during the year 1933; and what was the percentage of each and of United Kingdom production in relation to the consumption in this country?

Dr. BURGIN

The value of the retained imports of food and drink, including living animals for food and feeding-stuffs for animals, amounted, in 1933, to £317,400,000, but the proportions consigned from British and from foreign countries cannot yet be stated. Particulars of the extent to which home produce and imports from British and foreign countries contribute to our total food supplies are not available in respect of any recent year, but for the period 1924–25–1927–28 it was estimated that home production represented 39.3 per cent., net imports from British countries 21.6 per cent., and net imports from foreign countries 39.1 per cent. of the total.