§ 29. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed that land ploughed this summer or autumn and left fallow till it can be sown next spring for oats is eligible for the ploughing-up subsidy and the oats subsidy next year?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithGrassland ploughed up in the circumstances described by the hon. Member would be eligible for the grant of £2 per acre under Part IV of the Agricultural Development Bill, provided that it conformed with the prescribed conditions. Such land would also be eligible for subsidy under Part I of the Bill, if it were sown with oats in the spring of 1940, but as the object of the scheme, if no emergency occurs this year, is the renovation of inferior and worn-out grassland, it is hoped that in the majority of cases the oats would be used as a nurse crop for re-seeding the land to grass.
§ Mr. RobertsMay I ask whether, when land is left fallow from September or October until the spring, in cases where it would be natural to expect that it should be left fallow, the proviso will apply to such land automatically?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe position is as I have stated.
§ Mr. John MorganWould such land also receive a subsidy under the Fertilisers Act at the same time, if it was applied for?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithCertainly, if it was applied for.
§ Mr. MorganSo that three subsidies would be paid on the same land in one season?