HL Deb 19 February 1946 vol 139 c755

7.20 p.m.

EARL FORTESCUE

I beg to ask the question which stands in the name of my noble friend the Earl of Warwick.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, what proportion of food consumed in this country was produced at home during 1945, giving separate figures for wheat.]

THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON

My Lords, the proportion of the gross output of foodstuffs produced at home to total consumption in 1945 can be measured in calories, protein, weight, money values, etc. Measured in calories the proportion is estimated at 42 per cent, if barley used for brewing is included, or 48 per cent if measured in protein. No exact calculations are available for 1945 in terms of weight or money values.

The proportion of home produced wheat, on the basis of quantities milled was 36 per cent.