47. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding supplies of home-killed livestock which are expected to be available for the provision of the meat ration up to the end of 1947; and what effect the unusually big kill of English meat last autumn has had on the position.
§ Mr. StracheySupplies of home-killed meat for 1947 are provisionally estimated at about 700,000 tons. The abnormally heavy killings last autumn increased supplies of home-killed meat in 1946 by about 50,000 tons, mainly at the expense of supplies for 1947.
Mr. De la BèreCan the right hon. Gentleman give us some indication of what we may, expect this year? He did not give us any information of the amount coming forward.
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. We estimate—it is only an estimate, at this stage—that for 1947 there will be 700,000 tons of home-killed meat.
Mr. De la BèreDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that I do not like estimates, especially estimates from the Government, because they are so unreliable?