38. Mr. H. SAMUELasked the Secretary for Scotland what is the estimated increase in the area of land ploughed in Scotland for the harvest of this year compared with last year?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)The estimated increase in the area of land ploughed in Scotland for the harvest of this year compared with last year may be approximately and provisionally stated as 60,000 acres. This figure will be capable of verification in July, when I anticipate that 'the preliminary summary of the Agricultural Returns for 1917 will be ready.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say if there have been complaints of shortage of labour in Scotland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.
40. Mr. SAMUELasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is the estimated increase in the area of land ploughed in Ireland for the harvest of this year compared with last year?
§ Sir T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)The official enumerators of agricultural statistics in Ireland are now at work and their returns are shortly expected. The estimated increase in the area under cultivation in Ireland in 1917, as compared with last year is between 600,000 and 700,000 acres.
§ Mr. WATTIs not that increase due to the fact that the War Office did not take any men from the plough in Ireland?