HC Deb 07 April 1932 vol 264 cc315-7W
Viscountess ASTOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture approximately the amount of oats sold off farms in each of the last three years which it is estimated was used for feeding to livestock?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The following table shows the estimated quantity of oats sold off farms in Great Britain in each of the three cereal years 1928–29, 1929–30 and 1930–31. These figures are based on estimates obtained in connection with the census taken in 1925 that 25 per cent. of the total crop in England and Wales, and 40 per cent. in Scotland, are sold off. I am unable to say what proportion of the crop sold off farms is actually used for feeding to livestock, although according to the Report on the Food Supplies of Great Britain prepared in 1929 the bulk of the crop is so used, about 142,000 tons (including imported oats) being diverted to manufacturing purposes.

Year Sept.-Aug. England and Wales. Scotland. Great Britain.
Tons. Tons. Tons.
1928–29 361,000 282,000 643,000
1929–30 380,000 302,000 682,000
1930–31 335,000 259,000 594,000

Viscountess ASTOR

asked the Minister of Agriculture approximately the amount of barley sold off farms in each of the last three years which it is estimated was used for feeding to live stock other than the barley fed to live stock after having been first used by the brewers or distillers?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The following table shows the estimated quantity of barley sold off farms in Great Britain in each of the three cereal years, 1928–29, 1929–30, and 1930–31. These figures are based on estimates obtained in connection with the census taken in 1925 that 65 per cent. of the total crop in England and Wales, and 78 per cent. in Scotland, are sold off. I am unable to say what proportion of the crop sold off is actually fed to live stock.

Year Sept.—Aug. England and Wales. Scotland. Great Britain.
Tons. Tons. Tons
1928–29 662,000 80,000 742,000
1929–30 649,000 79,000 728,000
1930–31 479,000 74,000 553,000