§ Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average acreage growing potatoes over the years 1935–39; what has been the average over the last three years; what was the average yield in each case; how many acres in each case were affected by eelworm; and how many acres are known to be affected now.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe average acreage under potatoes in England and Wales over the years 1935–39 was 461,000 and the average yield per acre 6.8 tons; the average acreage over the years 1948–50 was 971,000 and the estimated average yield per acre 7.4 tons.
The only estimate of the acreage of land under potatoes affected by potato root eel-worm relates to the period 1946–49, during which it is estimated that the average was 150,280. The total acreage affected by this eelworm is considerably larger but no estimate is available.