23. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the proposed subsidy of £2 per acre on land which is to be ploughed up, he will consider alternatively granting £2 per acre for drainage purposes of land, in view of the numerous cases where drainage is vital before ploughing can be undertaken?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI would point out that in so far as land is drained in preparation for ploughing before 31st October next, the £2 per acre will be payable in respect of the ploughing, if the other conditions attaching to the grant have been fulfilled.
Mr. De la BèreWould it not be possible to have some allocation of this grant for the purpose of drainage, which is so essential to the land; and is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that ploughing would be no use where the land was not drained?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI realise the problem of land drainage, but at the present moment I cannot add anything to what I have said.
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe farmers themselves will know whether it is worth while to plough up the land, and any necessary inspection will be carried out by the Department.