HC Deb 17 December 1952 vol 509 cc225-6W
Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the decrease in the number of fowls six months old and over in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to arrest this fall.

Mr. J. Stuart

While the number of fowls six months old and over shows a decrease of approximately 2 per cent. in September this year as compared with the corresponding figure last year, it also shows an increase of 3 per cent. on the June figure of this year. The numbers of birds under six months also, in both June and September this year, are higher than the corresponding figures for last year. In the circumstances I do not think that any special steps need to be taken. The decrease in the total number of fowls is less than 1 per cent.