HC Deb 03 December 1973 vol 865 cc285-6W
Mr. David Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the percentage of turkeys sold in December for the Christmas period which are in un-eviscerated condition.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

I regret that no information is available on which to base such an estimate.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the percentage and amounts of poultry sold in the United Kingdom in the fresh, uneviscerated state with relation to chicken, turkey, old hens and ducks, respectively ; and what is the annual value of this total trade.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

Separate figures are not collected on this trade. On the very limited information available it is estimated that the percentage and amounts of poultry sold in the United Kingdom in 1972 in the fresh uneviscerated state were as follows :—

Chicken 15 per cent. 65,000 tons
Turkey 25 per cent. 20,000 tons
Old Hens 35 per cent. 30,000 tons
Ducks 25 per cent. 5,000 tons

Consumers' expenditure on this total trade in 1972 is estimated at about £55 million.