§ 56. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture how much money 1390 was spent by the Staffordshire Agricultural Executive Committee on the grassland experiments at Mixon Hay and Westbrook Head Farms, Onecote, Leek, and to what extent when these farms were sold recently his Department received money for betterment.
Mr. T. WilliamsNo money has been spent by the Staffordshire Agricultural Executive Committee on grassland experiments at these farms which were substations of the Ministry's Grassland Improvement Station until Lady Day, 1945. Since that date they have been farmed by the Staffordshire Agricultural Executive Committee as lands in hand. The experimental leys which had been established were continued for as long as possible but no additional expenditure was incurred.
The farms were held by me under leases which have recently been determined. The lessors will pay compensation which normally arises on the termination of an agricultural tenancy, but the amounts have not yet been settled.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the Minister aware that while this experiment has proved a success, and the Advisory Service are to be congratulated upon it, the means of applying it to the small hill farmer in need seem impossible because of the lack of capital reserves, and can he suggest any way by means of which they will help? Finally, what money have the Government spent on this experiment?
Mr. WilliamsNo separate accounts were taken for the sub-stations, but in 1945, on the advice of the Agricultural Improvement Council, it was decided to concentrate grassland experiments at Drayton and Dodwell, and the substations were transferred to the respective county committees to be farmed as lands in hand.