HC Deb 21 October 1946 vol 427 cc1312-3
75. Mr. Alpass

asked the Minister of Agriculture what assistance was rendered by the Oxfordshire A.E.C. to Mrs. H. S. Hudson, Kilkenny Farm, Brize-Norton, for labour, cultivations, machinery and drainage; and what was the amount of the grants and subsidies paid to her for cultivations, drainage and fertilisers.

Mr. T. Williams

As the answer contains a number of figures, with my hon. Friend's permission, I am circulating the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Alpass

That, if I may say so, Mr. Speaker, makes it very difficult for me to ask the Minister a supplementary question, but may I do so in these terms since I anticipate that the answer will be similar to one I received last week? Was not one of the main objects of the establishment of county war agricultural executive committees to assist farmers who were unable out of their own resources to provide the necessary means for carrying out orders?

Mr. Speaker

That is an argument, not a question.

Following is the information:

Since 1942 when the farm was taken over by Mrs. Hudson, the cost of services provided by the Committee (for which payment has been made) was as follows:

£ s. d.
Labour for tile drainage and ditching schemes 69 5 0
Other labour 702 2 11
Cultivations 169 17 6
Hire of machinery and transport 26 17 6

Subsidies and grants paid to Mrs. Hudson during the same period were as follow:

£ s. d.
Ploughing grant … … 69 0 0
Drainage … … 40 13 9
Lime Subsidy … … nil