HC Deb 25 July 1955 vol 544 c802
17. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the laying capacity of the British hen has improved since 1939.

Mr. Amory

I am advised that an average increase of 15 eggs per hen since the period immediately before the war would be a fair inference from such data as are available.

Mr. Hurd

Could my right hon. Friend tell us how that satisfactory improvement in performance compares with comparable performances in Holland and Denmark, from which we buy eggs?

Mr. Amory

No, I am sorry I cannot give that information offhand. If we have that information available, I will see that it is given to my hon. Friend. The improvement has been due, of course, to more successful breeding and to better management, and I hope we have not reached the end of that progress.