§ Mr. G. HALLasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of companies engaged in the fruit and vegetable canning industry in this country; and the number of factories, with the approximate output for the past five years to date, and the number of persons employed?
§ Sir J. GILMOURSo far as is known, there are 50 firms engaged in the canning of fruit and vegetables in England and Wales on a commercial scale. These operate 59 factories of which 38 pack under the National Mark. The approximate outputs for the years 1927 to 1931 are:
— Fruit. Fresh and reprocessed Vegetables. Total. Cans. Cans. Cans. 1927 5,540,000 2,300,000 7,840,000 1928 6,370,000 1,560,000 7,930,000 1929 10,920,000 5,420,000 16,340,000 1930 19,160,000 15,040,000 34,200,000 1931* (Estimated). 27,000,000 56,000,000 83,000,000 It is estimated that approximately 5,000 persons were employed in these canneries in 1931. * Canning of vegetables is still proceeding.