HC Deb 22 July 1964 vol 699 cc459-60
8. Mr. Hendry

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the percentage increase in the value of meat production, including beef, mutton, lamb, pork, bacon and poultry, in Scotland since 1951.

Mr. Stodart

Between 1951–52 and 1962–63 the value of Scottish meat production, as measured by producers' total returns, rose by 80 per cent.

Mr. Hendry

While thanking my hon. Friend for this special achievement and congratulating him on it, may I ask him to tell me the proportion of meat consumed in this country which is now produced at home, compared with the proportion some years ago? Will he continue to encourage modern methods which, in particular, have been adopted in the north-east of Scotland?

Mr. Stodart

While thanking my hon. Friend for his comments on something for which I do not think that I can take personal credit, may I tell him that the answer is that about two-thirds of our total consumption of meat is produced at home.

Sir J. Gilmour

In view of the shortage of meat caused by a world shortage and by shortage of imports, is it worth while going on with discussing a scheme for the limitation in any way of home supplies?

Mr. Stodart

Considering that we produce about 75 per cent. of our beef consumption and that the production of beef has risen by 8 per cent. a year over the last three years, I should have thought that some consideration must be given to the regulation of home production on to our markets.

Mr. Steele

In view of the satisfactory increase in beef production and the production of other commodities mentioned in the Question, will the hon. Gentleman say how this has affected prices and how they have moved between 1951 and today?

Mr. Stodart

Not without notice.