HC Deb 09 December 1953 vol 521 cc254-5W
Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture the Government's policy on the production of home-produced cattle feeding stuffs.

Sir T. Dugdale

The general objectives of the Government's policy for home grown feeding stuffs have been frequently stated to be to secure an expansion of the tillage area and an increased output of coarse grains and fodder crops; and to secure also the improved management of grassland and more efficient conservation, of grass.

Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many tons of dried grass meal was produced in this country in 1938, 1946, 1952 and 1953, respectively.

Sir T. Dugdale

Returns of production of dried grass were not obtained before 1950 and the figures for 1953 are not yet available. The production of dried grass in England and Wales in 1938 has been estimated at about 13,500 tons and in 1952 it was 224,000 tons. The production of dried grass meal in 1952 is estimated at 100,000 tons: no figures are available for the other years.