§ 42. Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to draw the attention of farmers to the advantages of greater use of fertilisers for all crops.
Mr. AmoryRecommendations on the correct use of fertilisers are made by the Ministry's advisory officers in the normal course of their advice to individual farmers and through their many group advisory activities. Many demonstrations of fertiliser use, notably on grassland, are conducted throughout the country.
§ Mr. CrouchWill my right hon. Friend redouble his efforts in this direction, because there is a vast difference between the yields of crops which have been generously fertilised and those which have received no fertiliser? As we are losing about 50, 000 acres of land a year for housing and other purposes, has not the time arrived for us to adopt the slogan "More food from fewer acres"?
Mr. AmoryI do not disagree in general with what my hon. Friend has said, but the position is encouraging. Last year there was a record consumption of both nitrogenous and potassic fertilisers.