HC Deb 12 March 1946 vol 420 c945
50. Mr. Vane

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster by how much he estimates the main arable crops to be harvested in North and East Germany in 1946 will be reduced as the result of the recent sub-division of the large light land farms into uneconomic small holdings.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)

The sub-division of large farms occurred in the Soviet Zone of Germany. I have no estimates of its effect on the 1946 harvests.

Mr. Vane

Will the Minister agree that a considerable reduction is to be expected, and that for the people in Germany next winter will prove as difficult as this?

Mr. Hynd

Obviously it is difficult to assess at this stage the effects of any such change in agricultural methods. The results will only be known at a later stage. In any case, they are in the Russian zone of Germany and it would be impossible for me to give any answer

Mr. Vane

Since the land is unsuitable for small holdings, all experience points to a very considerable reduction.

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