HC Deb 03 July 1914 vol 64 cc713-4W
Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the value of the imports of poultry and eggs into this country for each of the past ten years, and the estimated value of the home production during the same years?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The particulars asked for in the first part of the question are shown in the following table:—

Year. Eggs. Poultry.
Alive* Dead* Total.
£ £ £ £
1904 6,730,574 1,089,145
1905 6,812,436 905,791
1906 7,098,122 869,114
1907 7,135,530 903,847
1908 7,183,112 934,679
1909 7,233,932 920,697
1910 7,296,145 821,292
1911 7,967,555 918,197
1912 8,394,524 38,779 806,786 845,565
1913 9,590,602 37,923 954,540 992,463
* Not separately distinguished prior to 1912.

I regret that I am unable to give a complete answer to the second part of the question. The total value of poultry and eggs produced on and sold off farms in the United Kingdom was estimated for the Census of Production in 1908 at about £9,250,000, but there is a large non-agricultural production not included in this figure, the value of which cannot be estimated.

Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the approximate amount spent each year by the Board on the extension and improvement of the poultry industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Grants made by the Board in aid of agricultural education provided by county councils and by colleges cover instruction in poultry keeping, but the cost of such instruction cannot be separated from other forms of education. Forty-one poultry instructors are employed in England and Wales, some of whom also give instruction in other subjects. The Grants-in-Aid of experiments and demonstrations in connection with poultry-keeping in 1913–14 amounted to £521; the sum sanctioned for 1914–15 is £716. In addition the Treasury have authorised Grants from the Development Fund payable through the Board in respect of laying competitions during 1913–14 amounting to £432.