§ Lieut.-Colonel Thorpasked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the loss of 98W sheep on the W.D. property farmed by his Department in the areas of Redesdale and Coquetdale during the months January to March; what percentage it is of the stock held; and how does this compare with reports from the A.E.C. on privately-owned farms in Northumberland.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsAs far as can be ascertained at present the number of ewes lost up to the end of March on the land in question is 880, which represents just under 8½ per cent. of the total ewe stock. I understand that it is estimated that losses on privately-owned farms in Northumberland have on the average been somewhat heavier, although there is, of course, a wide variation in losses from one farm to another.