HC Deb 13 December 1927 vol 211 c2074
24. Mr. T. HENDERSON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total acreage of land under beet cultivation upon which subsidy is paid in Scotland and the amount of subsidy paid; and whether the cultivation of subsidised beet has increased employment in the agricultural industry?

Sir J. GILMOUR

In 1926 the area returned to the Board as under sugar-beet was 3,649 acres. The estimated by the companies in January, 1927, from which sugar-beet was delivered to the factories was 3,390 acres. The amount of subsidy paid was £74,058 13s. being in respect of sugar £63,980 8s. 10d., and in respect of molasses £10,078 4s. 2d. The area in 1927, as returned to the Board is 10,352 acres. The amount of subsidy paid for the crop of 1927 up to the present date is £32,316 1s. 9d., being in respect of sugar, £32,088 1s. 7d., and in respect of molasses, £228 0s. 2d. It is estimated that where a considerable area of sugar beet is grown on a farm, its cultivation requires, as compared with that of turnips, which it generally replaces, additional labour to the extent of one casual worker for 1½ weeks per acre.