HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 c798
11. Sir I. Fraser

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, on the basis of preliminary reports, he will make a statement about the prospects of this year's harvest.

Mr. Amory

The latest reports are for 1st July. These showed that the condition of the crops in England and Wales was then generally satisfactory. The yield per acre of corn crops was estimated to be about equal to the average of the last ten years, but it was too early to estimate the probable yields of root crops. I expect the next reports, for 1st August, to show a continuation of good prospects for the harvest in view of the recent fine weather, which we must all hope will last over the harvesting period.

Sir I. Fraser

Has my right hon. Friend had no report on the hay crop?

Mr. Amory

Yes, I have had a good many reports. I am glad to say that an excellent lot of hay seems to have been got in in most parts of the country. That is just what we wanted, of course, after the exceptionally bad weather of last winter.