asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the consumption of mutton and lamb in this country per head of the population for each of the last five years; and what percentages of these amounts represent the home-produced article?

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are as follow:

Year.		Consumption of mutton and lamb per head of population of great Britain.	Percentage representing home produce
		lbs.
1933	…	32·5	46
1934	…	31·0	45
1935	…	30·5	42
1936	…	29·3	43
1937	…	30·1	41

NOTE.—I would point out that the consumption in 1931 was 31.3 1bs. per head and in 1932 32.2 lbs. per head, home produce representing 39 per cent. and 43 per cent. respectively of these quantities. Since 1932 the sheep population of this country has been experiencing a cyclical downward trend which now appears to have been checked.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the increased imports of mutton and lamb into this country, he intends to take any action to diminish the quantity in future?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement during the Debate on the Address on 15th November, and would remind him that during the first 10 months of this year, total imports of mutton and lamb were some 110,000 cwts. less than in the corresponding period of 1937. The question of imported supplies during 1939 is receiving consideration.