HC Deb 21 July 1930 vol 241 cc1733-4
37. Brigadier-General BROWN

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many county demonstration farms are there which obtain grants from the Ministry of Agriculture; how many of these farms

COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FARMS IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
Financial Position.
County. Farm. Year ended 31st March, 1929. Year ended 31st March, 1928.
Deficit.* Deficit.*
England. £ £
Cheshire … … … … Reaseheath … … … 1,370 2,948
Cumberland … … … Newton Rigg … … … 348 575
Durham … … … … Houghall … … … 1,083 1,926
Hampshire … … … Sparsholt … … … 785 1,712
Hertfordshire … … … Oaklands … … … 2,165 1,848
Kent … … … … Grove End … … … 988 1,280
Lancashire … … … Hutton … … … 3,281† —†
Lincs. (Holland) … … … Kirton … … … 977 2,114
Northamptonshire … … Moulton … … … 1,024 1,280
Northumberland … … … Cockle Park … … … 691 323
Somersetshire … … … Cannington Court … … 437 2,962
Staffordshire … … … Rodbaston … … … 1,918 3,173
East Sussex … … … Wales … … … 1,607 1,653
West Sussex … … … Kingsham … … … 1,890 551
Yorkshire … … … … Askham Bryan … … 2,848 3,184
Wales.
Caernarvonshire … … … Madryn … … … 244 611
Carmarthenshire … … … Pibwrlwyd … … … 1,590 1,763
Denbighshire … … … Llysfasi … … … 2,300 2,375
Flintshire … … … … Padeswood … … … 394 360
Glamorganshire … … … Tregroes … … … 92 543
Monmouthshire … … … Usk … … … … (Profit) 97 1,112
* After taking into account expenditure on experimental work, etc.
† Until the current year Agricultural Education in Lancashire has not been aided by grants from the Ministry.

are run on commercial lines; and how many of them show a profit or a loss?

Dr. ADDISON

There are 21 county demonstration farms in England and Wales which are aided by grants from my Department. As a general rule these farms serve the purpose of educational institutions and, as such, incur heavy charges in respect of educational and experimental work which do not fall on the ordinary commercial farm. In reply to the last part of the question I propose, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, to circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Brigadier-General BROWN

What is the good of demonstration farms showing the farmer how to farm unless they can show him how to make them pay, and will the right hon. Gentleman pay more attention to the costings of these farms in future?

Following is the statement: