HC Deb 18 March 1937 vol 321 cc2261-2
74. Captain Heilgers

asked the Minister of Agriculture what proportion of home-produced meat and milk is dependent on imported feeding-stuffs?

Mr. W. S. Morrison

It is estimated that imports constitute approximately 26 per cent. (on a starch equivalent basis) of the feeding-stuffs required by the livestock population of the United Kingdom. I regret that I am unable to give a separate figure for meat and dairy animals.

75. Captain Heilgers

asked the Minister of Agriculture the annual quantity of cereals and cereal by-products required for animal feeding-stuffs, and the proportion produced at home?

Mr. Morrison

The annual consumption of cereals and cereal by-products by animals in the United Kingdom is estimated at approximately 6,500,000 tons of starch equivalent, of which home production represents about one-third.

Captain Heilgers

Does not this quantity exceed the amount of flour, meat, milk, eggs, butter and cheese produced in this country for home consumption? Would it not be a great deal better if we produced more of these cereals at home?

Statement showing the estimated quantities and values of certain foodstuffs sold off farms in England and Wales in 1913–14 and 1935–36.
Description. 1913–14. 1935–36.
Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.
Thousand tons. £ million. Thousand tons. £ million.
Wheat … … … 1,139 8.5 893 5.2*
Potatoes … … 2,171 6.7 2,303 13.8
Meat … … … 766 47.9 1,044 63.2†
Million gals. Million gals.
Milk … … … 988 36.5 1,414 56.4
Million. Million.
Eggs … … … 959 4.8 2,940 16.3
* Not including deficiency payments made by the Wheat Commission.
† Not including payments from the Cattle Fund,
80. Colonel Ponsonby

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any provisional instructions or questionnaire has

Mr. Morrison

I should require notice of that question, but I would point out that the answer that I have given excludes a very important feeding-stuff material, namely, grass.