HC Deb 05 May 1955 vol 540 cc151-2W
27. Mr. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what machinery at present exists to ensure that

INDEX NUMBERS OF THE VOLUME OF AGRICULTURAL NET OUTPUT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (1936–9 = 100)
— Old series New series
Agricultural holdings All holdings Agricultural holdings All holdings
1944–5 … … 120 125 121 127
1945–6 … … 124 129 125 130
1946–7 … … 117 122 119 124
1947–8 … … 122 127 124 128
1948–9 … … 136 139 138 141
1949–50 … … 140 143 141 144
1950–1 … … 141 143 142 145
1951–2 … … 148 149 148 149
1952–3 … … 151 152 151 153
1953–4 … … 156* 156* 155 155
1954–5 (forecast) … … — — 152 153
* Provisional forecast in February, 1954.
The figures for "agricultural holdings" relate to those of 1 acre or over in Great Britain (¼ acre in Northern Ireland). The figures for "all holdings" include gardens, allotments, pig clubs, etc.
The difference between the old and new series is mainly on account of a change, made in January last, in the method of estimating the output of pigs. When control and rationing ceased, it was found that the pig component of the net output index had been under-estimated and the preparation of a new series has therefore been necessary. The changes have resulted in higher indices in most of the years from 1944–45. The opportunity was also taken to make minor revisions to the calculations for potato output and miscellaneous output.
The figures in the new series for the years 1946–47, 1947–48 and from 1951–52 to 1954–55 have already been published in either Cmd. 9406 or Cmd. 9412. The complete new series has not hitherto been made public, but will appear in due course in "Agricultural Statistics."
On the new series (all holdings) the average annual increase between 1944–45 and 1950–51 was three points.

the keen horticulturist is able to keep in touch without undue difficulty with the reports and work of the 30 agricultural research and experimental centres which are concerned to some extent with horticultural matters.

Mr. Nugent

Our National Agricultural Advisory Service, through publications, individual advice, and other activities, provides the chief means of keeping horticulturists in touch with the progress and results of research.