asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of sows, gilts in pig, and boars which were slaughtered in 1974, 1973 and 1972, respectively; and what the total national breeding herd was compared with the breeding herd level of 10 years ago.

The total numbers of sows and boars slaughtered in the United Kingdom in 1974, 1973 and 1972 were 474·9, 413·7 and 353·4 thousand head respectively. Separate statistics of gilts in pig are not available.The pig breeding herd as shown in the June census in these years numbered 897, 1,015 and 960 thousand head. The 1964 census, which was conducted on a slightly different basis, showed a total breeding herd of 903 thousand.