§ Mr. J. DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of imported and home-grown meat consumed in the United Kingdom during the years 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919 respectively?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have been asked to reply. The estimated quantities of imported and home-grown meat consumed by the civilian population in the United Kingdom for the years enumerated are as follows:—1728W
Home-killed. Imported. Total. Pre-War years Tons. Tons. Tons. 1909–13 1,357,000 750,000 2,107,000 Annual average 1914 1,324,000 689,000 2,013,000 1915 1,356,000 464,000 1,820,000 1916 1,404,000 303,000 1,707,000 1917 1,320,000 232,000 1,552,000 1918 883,000 250,000 1,133,000 1919 975,000 435,000 1,410,000
Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Food the weight approximately of the stocks of beef, mutton, bacon and lard now held in this country under Government control; how these compare with the stocks of the same commodities at this period in 1919; and whether he proposes to make any arrangements at an early date to lower the prices of these foods?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONAs regards the first and second parts of the question in so far as they relate to beef and mutton, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Wednesday, April 28th, to the hon. Member for Belper (Mr. Hancock). The publication of figures with regard to stocks of bacon and lard would prejudice the position of the Ministry of Food as a purchaser of these commodities on a free market in America, and I regret therefore that I am unable to give the hon. Member the information which he desires. I am not in a position to make a statement as regards any alteration in the price of beef, mutton or bacon, but a reduction of 4d. per lb. in the retail price of lard will be affected as from 10th May.