HC Deb 01 March 1973 vol 851 cc419-20W
Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the phrase "food supplies moving into consumption" used in the title of his Department's tables of consumption.

Mrs. Fenner

The tables are based on an assessment of the total supplies of food moving into consumption from all sources in a given period. Deductions are then made from this total figure for exports, waste and uses other than human consumption. The resulting supplies moving into human consumption are divided by the population to give average consumption per head. The figures are all national averages, and are the only available figures for total consumption by the population as a whole. They provide the only means of comparing the overall food position in different periods. Further details of the methodology of these statistics were published in the Board of Trade Journal, 8th March 1968, Vol. 194, No. 3703, page 753.

Mr. David Stoddart

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the figures for consumption of carcase meat in the United Kingdom given in his Department's tables "food supplies moving into consumption" includes meat used for pet foods and meat and offal unfit for human consumption used in the preparation of animal feeding stuffs; and what proportion of the figure relates to "eating out" other than in canteens and other institutions.

Mrs. Fenner

The tables exclude meat used for pet foods and meat and offal unfit for human consumption used in the preparation of animal feeding stuffs.

The estimates are designed to measure total consumption of carcase meat for human consumption in whatever form it is finally purchased but they do not distinguish the proportion consumed outside the home. It is estimated that about 15 per cent. of carcase meat goes to hotels, restaurants, canteens and other catering institutions but no more detailed breakdown is available.