HC Deb 21 July 1949 vol 467 c1548
48. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give figures showing the number of poultry in Britain before the war, at the end of the war, and at present.

Mr. T. Williams

The numbers of poultry on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in Great Britain were approximately 68 million in June, 1939, 44½ million in June, 1945, and 61 million in June, 1948. Corresponding figures for June, 1949, will not be available until towards the end of August, but I expect a further increase over June, 1948.

Mr. Reid

Is my right hon. Friend able to procure at home and abroad adequate feedingstuffs for poultry and other livestock?

Mr. Williams

There have been increases over the past 12 months, which are indicated in the growth of the number of poultry.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that cocks and hens were especially more prosperous in the years of Tory misrule than under this beneficent administration?

Mr. Williams

I hesitate to believe that that was even a remote possibility.

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