§ 53. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the numbers of farmers who claimed the lime subsidy; and the total amounts paid in the years 1946 and 1947.
§ Mr. T. Williams185,167 applications were made by farmers in the United Kingdom for lime subsidy in 1946, and 161,716 applications in 1947. The subsidy amounted to £2,780,600 in 1946 and £2,632,430 in 1947.
§ Mr. CollinsIn view of the decline in 1947, and the fact that increased applications of lime in appropriate conditions can make a very substantial contribution to increased food production this year, would my right hon. Friend take steps to bring this matter to the special notice of county committees, and ask them to see that increased lime applications are carried out, particularly on the lower grade farms?
§ Mr. WilliamsThese steps have already been taken, long since.