57. Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the farming experiments being conducted by the Soviet authorities in the Arctic, under which extensive fields of cabbage, potatoes and other plants are successfully grown under Arctic conditions 347 in electrically warmed soil; and what progress is being made in this country with regard to research and development in connection with the warming of soil by artificial means.
Mr. HudsonNo official information is available with regard to the experiments referred to in the first part of the Question. Work on soil heating by various means, including electricity, has been carried out in this country for some years, mainly in connection with crops grown under glass. Particulars of the various methods available will be found in Bulletin No. 65 issued by my Department, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.