§ Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food why, although in 1951 we imported 39 per cent. more than in 1950, the volume of feedingstuffs for animals imported during the first three quarters of this year has been only 94, 81, and 58 per cent., respectively, of the amount imported in 1950.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe percentages quoted refer to the imports recorded in the monthly Trade and Navigation Accounts of the United Kingdom under the heading "Class I Group B Feeding-stuffs for Animals." These figures do not include grain imported for animal feed which is recorded separately under the heading "Class I Group A Grain and Flour." The figures in Group A for barley, oats, maize and sorghums should, therefore, be added to the totals for Group B when comparing imports of feedingstuffs for one period with another.
Imports of feedingstuffs recorded under Group B have been rather less during the first three quarters of 1952 than they were in the corresponding period of 1950. But imports of feedingstuffs of all kinds including grain have been sufficient, together with home produced feedingstuffs entering the ration pool, to maintain the latter at the level of approximately 5.5 million tons and to provide a satisfactory stock of feedingstuffs.