HC Deb 15 December 1952 vol 509 cc113-4W
36. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to a speech, a copy of which has been sent him, made by the Chief Scientific and Agricultural Adviser to the Ministry of Agriculture, that this country could produce 20 times as much nutritionally satisfactory food if we adopted a meatless diet; and, in view of the steadily growing world population as well as that in Great Britain, if he will reduce his purchases of meat to enable greater quantities of other types of food to be produced.

Major Lloyd George

The point made by the Chief Scientific and Agricultural Adviser was that "an acre of land under potatoes will give about 20 times as much food as the same acre used to produce beef and mutton." I assume the hon. Member would not advocate the adoption in this country of a diet consisting solely of potatoes.