70. Mr. Peter Freem. nasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the present 11,356,000 acres now used for grazing could not be better used for the growth of cereal crops and vegetables; and whether he has any comparative figures of the produce of foodper acre to indicate the difference.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIn the Government's view, we should aim during this year and next at a return to the 1945 tillage area and at the production of the maximum weight of cereals with a special emphasis on wheat. With present supplies of labour, equipment and materials, and having regard also to the need for maximum milk production, this use of our agricultural land is considered likely to produce the best results in terms of output. No firm figure exists for the gain in food per acre due to the conversion of grazing land to cereals or vegetables