41. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the possible loss of food production at Maesylade Farm, Breconshire, consequent upon the rejection of the renewed application of the only eligible farm worker for deferment upon this isolated hill farm; how much money has been, and is to be, spent on improvements on this farm under the Hill Farming Act; what is the acreage; how much is cultivated; and what stock is carried.
§ Sir T. DugdaleAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9th June by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service. The cost of the Hill Farming Scheme is estimated at £1,554; the farm covers 118 acres, of which 26 are arable; at the time of the latest available report there were 30 cattle, 281 sheep 2 horses and 120 poultry.
Mr. WatkinsThe Minister has not stated how this farm is to be carried on if no worker is to be employed when the man is called up.
§ Sir T. DugdaleTwo periods of deferment have already been granted for the worker concerned, but an application for further renewal has been considered three times by the Agricultural Advisory Panel, who each time recommended rejection. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] They believe that the farm could be carried on.
§ Mr. G. BrownWhat steps have been taken to supply a replacement? Have the Ministry of Labour been able to help? 448 Is the Minister's committee helping or is he simply washing his hands of it?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe Ministry of Labour have not been asked to help. The Panel consider that if one of the sons of this farmer is called up, the farm will continue to be run by the rest of the family with no serious loss to production.
Mr. WatkinsThe people left on the farm are an old man aged 68 and his wife, who suffers from dropsy. How can they manage the farm?