§ 66. Mr. LOUGHasked the President of t he Board of Agriculture what is the average charge per acre made by his Depart- 1704 ment to farmers for ploughing their land with tractors; and what he estimates to be the average cost to the Department of carrying out the operation, including all charges for depreciation, material used, wages, and supervision?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe charges to farmers, for ploughing by the Government tractors are made on a sliding scale from 20s. to 30s. per acre. In each case the Agricultural Executive Committee decides the rate at which the work is to be undertaken, according to the character of the land and other conditions. As I have stated, in reply to a previous question, the average cost of operating tractors, so far as it has been ascertained, is about 28s. per acre.
§ Mr. LOUGHDoes that 28s. cover the cost of the machines and all the other charges connected with them?
§ Mr. PROTHEROIt covers all the charges.