HC Deb 28 February 1968 vol 759 cc1402-3
36. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress toward the estimated increase of 125,000 tons of home-produced beef and veal by 1970 has taken place in each convenient half year since September, 1965.

Mr. Hoy

With permission I will publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

They show an increase over the corresponding six months of 1965–66 in each of half-years to March and September, 1976.

Mr. Godman Irvine

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the figures of calf-slaughterings over the last three years, where there has been a steep decline? Until that trend is reversed, can the Minister feel that he is likely to get what he wants?

Mr. Hoy

There are those figures, but I have arranged for the figures that the hon. Gentleman wants to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Is the Minister not aware that food imports went up again last year and that this total figure needs actually to be reduced?

Mr. Hoy

Yes. We should like greater production to come from our own farms, and that is what the policy is directed to.

Following is the information:

United Kingdom Production of Beef and Veal (including meat equivalent of exported cattle and calves)
Six months ('000 tons)
October, 1965-March, 1966 … 451
April, 1966-September, 1966 … 407
October, 1966-March, 1967 … 469
April, 1967-September, 1967 … 466