§ 103. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food what percentage of the total annual consumption of rationed meat the recent losses of sheep, lambs and cattle through snow and flood represent.
§ 104. Mr. Spenceasked the Minister of Food what percentage of the total annual consumption of potatoes and of wheat the recent losses through snow and flood represent.
§ Dr. SummerskillWith permission I will answer this Question and No. 104 together.
The effects of the recent losses of sheep, lambs and cattle, will be spread over a period of about three years. The direct loss in 1947–48, that is the loss of stock coming forward for slaughter as distinct from losses resulting from reductions in breeding stocks, is estimated at about 3 per cent. of our annual consumption of rationed meat.
The loss of potato stocks was equivalent to some II per cent. of our annual potato consumption. The loss of wheat acreage directly attributable to frost and flood would have produced, on the basis of average yields, a quantity of millable wheat equivalent to about 1½per cent. of our annual consumption of millable wheat. I would add that a far more serious loss—about 4½per cent.—resulted from the wet autumn and the consequent inability of farmers to sow the desired acreage of winter wheat.