Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller if he will state how much meat, approximately, was consumed by the public of the United Kingdom from 1st January to 31st August this year; what proportion was home-grown and what imported; and, of the importations, will he indicate the various sources of supply, the weight imported, and the average price c.i.f. of the same?
§ Major ASTORThe estimated consumption of butcher's meat by the civilian population of the United Kingdom from 1st January to 31st August this year was 682,000 tons, of which 70 per cent. was home-grown and 30 per cent. imported. Of the imported meat, 54 per cent. came from the United States, 25 per cent. from South America, 12 per cent. from Australasia, 7 per cent. from Canada, and the remaining 2 per cent. from South Africa, China, etc. The average c.i.f. price at which the Ministry acquired the meat was 1s. 2½d. per lb.