§ 54. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the £2 per acre subsidy for approved crops is payable where crops have been condemned and the cultivator has not been at fault; what appeal can be made by cultivators against either condemnation or the withholding of the subsidy; how many appeals have been made; and how long such cultivators have to wait before their appeals are heard and decisions given?
Mr. HudsonThe £2 per acre ploughing grant is payable where lands, which have been under grass for at least seven years, are broken up and brought into a state of cleanliness and fertility and are shown to be capable of producing satisfactory arable crops or of being substantially improved by reseeding. I am not aware of any instance in which these conditions 1341 have been fulfilled and the grant has been withheld because of failure of the crop due to causes outside the control of the farmer. If the hon. Member will supply me with particulars of any cases he has in mind. I will have inquiries made.