HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 c304W
Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Food the average number of eggs per week produced by the total of farm poultry in England and Wales; the average number made available for retail distribution; and what is the explanation for the difference.

Dr. Summerskill

The estimated total production of eggs in England and Wales during the year ended 31st May, 1945, averaged approximately 24 million eggs per week. The rate of production varies very considerably throughout the year. Of this estimated production the average per week distributed to consumers through the Ministry's distribution scheme together with those allocated to the Services was approximately 18 million eggs. The balance was disposed of in the following ways: consumed in the households of producers, used for hatching purposes, legal sales by producers with 25 head of poultry or less, breakages, and a certain volume of illegal sales. It is not possible to state relative quantities disposed of in these various ways.

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