§ 49. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will indicate from the latest figures of livestock and crop returns how his policy of increasing agricultural output by 50 per cent. above the pre-war output, has been progressing since 1945–46.
Mr. T. WilliamsNet agricultural output this year is provisionally estimated at 135 per cent. of pre-war compared with 123 per cent. in 1946–47 (which was the year immediately before the expansion programme was launched) and with the objective of 150 per cent. in 1952–53. Last June there were 25¼ million more poultry in the United Kingdom than in 1947; nearly 1,200,000 more pigs, 415,000 more calves; 660,000 more cattle and 2,750,000 more sheep. Farmers are also responding well to the campaign for increased production of dried grass and silage.
§ Mr. ReidCan my right hon. Friend say whether that remarkable result is due entirely to the policy of the present Government, and not to the policy of any other Government?
§ Mr. SnaddenIs the increase of 135 per cent. a United Kingdom increase or an England and Wales increase?