§ 52. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres, at the latest available date, are cultivated by his Department and by the county executive committees, respectively; and for what purpose the sum of £20,000, in subhead J 7 of his current Supplementary Estimate is required.
§ Sir T. DugdaleAt 31st January this year, 6,641 acres were cultivated by the Agricultural Land Commission and 8,700 acres by county agricultural executive committees. The sum of £20,000 is required to meet a deficiency in the 1448 original estimate for the management and farming of land by the Commission, mainly due to an increase in the area of land under their control. The excess expenditure is more than matched by estimated additional receipts of £100,000.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay I ask the Minister whether, after our experience of groundnuts, Gambia eggs and sorghum in Queensland, he will now stop all agricultural farming directly by himself, his Ministry or the agricultural executive committees, as it always means a definite loss?
§ Sir T. DugdaleIf the hon. Member will pay attention to the answer I have given, he will realise that the excess expenditure is more than matched by the estimated additional receipts of £100,000.