§ 4. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the size of the dairy herd at the latest convenient date; and what increase he expects in heifers retained in the herd during 1972–73.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartAt the December, 1971, Census—based partly on sample returns—there were 3,346,000 dairy cows in the United Kingdom. This is the first sign of expansion in the dairy herd. In line with that expansion I expect to see some increase in the number of dairy heifers entering the dairy herd in 1972–73.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI congratulate my hon. Friend on the first upturn in the level of the dairy herd for many years. What estimate has he made of the amount of milk which will go into the manufacturing industry and what increase in take-up of the butter market of the United Kingdom will come from herds in this country?
§ Mr. StodartMy hon. Friend will get some idea of this from the fact that this year our butter market will be supplied to the extent of about 16 per cent. from home supplies compared with less than 1324 10 per cent. some years ago. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his first remark. The increase in the size of the dairy herd shows what the resolute policy of my right hon. Friend can do compared with the vacillation plus a mixture of caution and adventure which the righthon. Member for Working ton (Mr. Peart) used to display.