HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 c361W
Mr. Lambert

asked the Minister of Food what proportions of the total consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland of bread, fresh meat, bacon, sugar, butter and cheese were imported from overseas; and what was the cost of each import.

Mr. Strachey

I can best give this information in tabular form.

Food. Percentage of United Kingdom consumption in 1947 provided by imports. c.i.f. value of 1947 imports (Trade Navigation Accounts).
per cent. £
Wheat and flour 78 118,695,097
Fresh meat (fresh and frozen including offal) 58 84,061,053
Bacon and hams 63 20,958,138
Sugar 74 59,070,767
Butter 94 42,921,810
Cheese 92 31,512,081

It is impossible to state what proportion of the bread consumed was provided by imports. The figure given above for wheat and flour is calculated on the flour equivalent of the wheat and flour used for human consumption.