§ 56. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he. can state what approximate proportion of sums disbursed under the Wheat Act and the sugar-beet subsidy have been received by farmers in Scotland during the latest year for which figures are available; and what has been the proportionate gain to these farmers through taking into account the proportion of oats and barley consumed in Great Britain which are grown in Scotland and the increase in the price thereof since the imposition of duties?
§ Mr. SKELTONDeficiency payments under the Wheat Act to growers in Scotland for the cereal year ending on the 31st July, 1934, amounted to £410,559 8s. 5d., representing 5.7 per cent. of the total authorised deficiency payments for the United Kingdom. As regards sugar-beet, the subsidy is paid to manufacturers and not to growers. In 1933–34 the only Scottish factory situated at Cupar received in subsidies a sum of £20,568, which represents 0.607 per cent. of the total subsidy for Great Britain. I may add that the acreage under sugar-beet in the present year is much increased but I am not in a position to give 1832 my hon. and gallant Friend the exact figures. As regards the last part of the question precise figures are not available, but I shall be happy to discuss the matter with my hon. and gallant Friend and give him such information as I have bearing on the subject.