§ 44. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the increase of 8,000,000 in poultry numbers, shown in December, 1958, agricultural returns, is attributable to the 620 expansion of the broiler industry; and if he will arrange for the agricultural returns to show, separately, the number of birds kept for broiler production as distinct from those kept for egg-laying so that current developments in the poultry industry may be recorded more accurately.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)On the information available, it is estimated that nearly one-half of the total increase in the poultry population is due to the expansion of the table poultry industry. probably mainly in broilers.
My Ministry, with the other agricultural departments, is examining the practicability of including questions in the agricultural returns which will distinguish more precisely between table poultry, including broilers, and poultry for egg-laying.