Agricultural Production

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 April 1951.

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Photo of Mr Archibald Manuel Mr Archibald Manuel , Central Ayrshire 12:00, 17 April 1951

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase has taken place in our meat production in Scotland since the commencement of the agricultural expansion programme in June, 1947.

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

The estimated increase in 1950–51 in the production of beef and veal, mutton and lamb, pigmeat and poultry over that produced in 1946–47 is 33,000 tons, or 22 per cent.

Photo of Mr Archibald Manuel Mr Archibald Manuel , Central Ayrshire

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the extent of increase in Scotland in the production of cereals and potatoes; and also the figures of the acreage under cultivation since the commencement of the expansion programme.

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

The estimated increase in cereals production between 1947, the first year of the expansion programme, and 1950 was 57,000 tons, from a decreased acreage of 68,000 acres. The figure for potatoes was 223,000 tons increase from 17,000 acres less. The total area under cultivation in 1947 and 1950 respectively was 1,859,000 and 1,768,000 acres.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

Will my hon. Friend tell us to what extent this is due to Government subsidies, and whether he is considering the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) that those subsidies should be withdrawn?

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

We are not seriously considering the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion.

Commander Galbraith:

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that these figures reflect the very greatest credit on our Scottish farmers?

Photo of Mr William Snadden Mr William Snadden , Kinross and West Perthshire

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that direct subsidies paid to the whole of agriculture are only £20 million?

Hon. Members:

Only!

Photo of Mr Archibald Manuel Mr Archibald Manuel , Central Ayrshire

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total volume of agricultural output estimated for the year ending May, 1951; and also the comparable figures for the years 1947 and 1939.

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

The total volume of agricultural output in Scotland for the year ending May, 1951, is estimated to be 18 per cent. greater than in 1946–47 and 47 per cent. greater than pre-war.

Photo of Mr Archibald Manuel Mr Archibald Manuel , Central Ayrshire

Will my hon. Friend indicate to the Scottish farmworkers and farmers our great satisfaction at this tremendous increase in productivity throughout rural Scotland? Will he further indicate to the people of Scotland generally the tremendous fillip that has been given to Scottish agriculture by the Labour Government?

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

The farmers and farmworkers of Scotland are due the greatest credit for their wonderful efforts since 1947; but I should just like to say that as they are, by and large, the farmers and farmworkers that we had before the war, there must be some reason for their doing so well.

Photo of Mr Walter Elliot Mr Walter Elliot , Glasgow Kelvingrove

Will the hon. Gentleman give any reason for the enormous drop in home-produced meat?

Photo of Sir John Macleod Sir John Macleod , Ross and Cromarty

Does not the Joint Under-Secretary of State agree that this is a great achievement by private enterprise?

Photo of Mr Thomas Fraser Mr Thomas Fraser , Hamilton

I have already paid tribute to the private enterprises responsible. Let me say to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that the figures I have just given show that there has been a considerable increase in the home production of meat in recent years.

Photo of Mr Walter Elliot Mr Walter Elliot , Glasgow Kelvingrove

In recent years, but the hon. Gentleman was talking of pre-war. Naturally, even the Labour Government cannot always stay at their lowest point. Even they have to progress one way or the other.

Photo of Sir James Henderson-Stewart Sir James Henderson-Stewart , Fife East

May we take it that the figures given in the last three answers are to be found in the published reports of the Department?