§ 19. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how many has the number of in-calf heifers increased during the first three months of 1971.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe results of the March, 1971, Census, which will provide this information, are not yet available.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes my hon. Friend agree that, although there might 935 have been a slight increase in dairying in-calf heifers, this is probably not sufficient bearing in mind the need to increase production after the Price Review and in view of the rise in the price of manufacturing milk? Is he aware that there is great anxiety that there will not be a sufficient increase in the beef herd to supply our needs whether or not we join the Common Market and particularly if we do?
§ Mr. StodartThe figures for the first three quarters are available. Although they are only sample figures, they tend to show that, although the dairy herd is down marginally, the overall cattle herd is up. We have no reason to suppose that from June, 1970 to 1971, there will not be a further increase in the beef herd.