HC Deb 08 February 1945 vol 407 cc2227-8
50. Mr. E. P. Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the official estimate of the number of hives of bees in the United Kingdom in the years 1938 and 1944 respectively.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

It is estimated that there were 450,000 colonies of bees in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1942. No comparable estimate is available in respect of the years 1938 or 1944.

Mr. Smith

In view of the fact that since the war Russia has increased her hives from 4,000,000 to 40,000,000, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we have had any proportionate increase in home production?