HC Deb 16 June 1947 vol 438 cc1585-6
50. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an estimate in value or quantity of the extra amount of dairy and poultry produce which could be raised in this country if an extra 50,000 tons of barley were allocated to the industry.

Mr. T. Williams

An additional allowance of 50,000 tons of barley to dairy cattle, unaccompained by a proportionate allowance of high protein feed, would not substantially increase the milk supply. The addition of the same quantity of barley to the various feedingstuffs allocated to poultry, however, would permit the maintenance of a sufficient number of extra birds to produce about 8 million dozen more eggs, which at farm values would be worth rather more than £1¼ million.