1258 Replies to Questions in Parliament. [mar.. 



On the basis of the consumption in 1919 it was estimated that these 

 numbers would have to be increased to the following extent in order 

 to make the United Kingdom self-supporting in beef, veal, mutton, 

 lamb, bacon and hams : — 



Cattle . . . . . . . . 6,400,000 



Sheep .. .. .. .. 18,900,000 



Pigs . . . . . . . . . . 6,700,000 



The estimated increase in the number of cattle includes an increase 

 in cows and heifers sufficient to produce the milk required to make 

 the country self-supporting as regards butter and cheese on the basis 

 of the consumption in 191 9. {4th March, 1920.) 



Potatoes. — In reply to a question by Major Wheler whether potato 

 growers might plant King Edwards, Arran Chief, and Up-to-date in 

 clean and non-infected land in the coming season, the Parliamentary 

 Secretary to the Ministr37' of Agriculture stated that he had ascertained 

 in consultation with the Ministry of Food that there probably would be 

 a shortage of home-grown potatoes prior to the 1920 crop becoming 

 available, but that it is hoped to reduce the shortage as much as possible 

 by importations from abroad. It was not possible at the present time 

 to give any estimate of the 1920 crop, which would depend on the acreage 

 planted and the weather conditions prevailing during the growing 

 period. No alteration of the Wart Disease Order was contemplated 

 which would affect in any way the varieties of potatoes planted during 

 the coming season, but the Technical Advisers of the Ministry were 

 giving careful consideration to the question of an alternative policy 

 which might give certain concessions to the grower without endangering 

 the further spread of the disease. (24th February, 1920.) 



Consumption of Agrricultural Produce. — In reply to a question by 

 Mr. Lambert, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food 

 stated that the estimated consumption by the United Kingdom during 

 the year 191 9 of wheat, barley, oats, beef, mutton, bacon, butter, and 

 cheese was as stated in the following table : — 



Commodity. 



Estimated 

 total 

 Consumption. 



Percentage of Home-grown 

 and Imported Produce 

 to Total. 



Home-grown. 



Imported. 



meat 



Beef and Veal 

 Mutton and Lamb 

 Bacon and Hams . . 

 Butter 



tons. 

 7>395,ooo 

 1,956,000 

 4,297,000 

 995,000 

 368,000 

 447,000 

 180,000 

 145,000 



per cent. 

 27 

 64 

 92 

 66 

 57 

 19 

 58 

 30 



per cent. 



73 

 36 

 8 



34 

 43 

 81 

 42 

 70 



Notes. — Cereals. — The quantities are given after deduction for seed, and 

 in the case of wheat, for tailings also. 



Bacon. — The quantities given are for bacon as smoked or dried. 



(i6th February, 1920.) 



