HC Deb 18 February 1954 vol 523 c2141
29. Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reply he has had from the Welsh Agricultural Organisation Society about the proposal in Command Paper No. 9014, paragraph 59 (5), to consider group contracts and the setting up of a co-operative society for farm improvements.

Sir T. Dugdale

The Welsh Agricultural Organisation Society has readily accepted my invitation and will, early next month, begin a survey to find how far group action could help in getting work done on Livestock Rearing Act and marginal production schemes in the remote areas of Wales.

30. Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Welsh Sub-Commission has yet been asked to in vestigate the types of fanning calculated to make the most efficient use of the resources of the Welsh rural areas, as stated in Command Paper No. 9014, paragraph 59 (3); and whether he will state the exact terms of reference.

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir. With permission, I will circulate in the Official Report a copy of the terms of reference to the Agricultural Land Commission. This has been delegated by the Commission to the Welsh Agricultural Land Sub-Commission.

Mr. Watkins

Is it the intention of the Ministry to employ extra staff for this work in order that we may get a fairly early report?

Sir T. Dugdale

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that Question down, because it is a rather different one.

Following are the terms of reference: The Agricultural Land Commission are asked, in the light of the White Paper on Rural Wales (Cmd. 9014), and with a view to the further development of a stable and prosperous rural economy in Wales, to advise the Minister on the best use of land within the Reference area, and on the measures necessary to attain it, and in particular:
  1. (a) To advise what types of farms are calculated to make the most efficient use of the resources of the area (vide paragraph 22 of Cmd. 9014).
    2. 2142
  2. (b) To advise what pattern of ownership and occupation is best suited to the types of farming advocated, what cost in the provision or improvement of fixed and movable equipment would be entailed, what increase in production could be expected to follow, and what would be the consequential increase in the value of the land (vide paragraph 23 of Cmd. 9014).
  3. (c) To consult with the Forestry Commission on the suitability of some of the land in the reference area for afforestation (vide paragraph 25 of Cmd. 9014).