§ 43. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will include prepared dried organic fertilisers made from sewage amongst the fertilisers which qualify for subsidy.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsNo, Sir. It is impracticable to pay subsidy on organic fertilisers in view of their variable plant food content and the consequent difficulty in establishing the appropriate rate of subsidy.
§ Mr. IrvingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor said about three years ago that research was going on into this problem? Does the hon. Gentleman not anticipate any conclusion to the research, and is he aware that the sale of this fertiliser provides a useful reduction to the rate requirement and that much more could be sold if it were not for competition from other types of subsidised fertiliser?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsI appreciate the hon. Member's concern that there should be an increase in the sale of this organic substance. Indeed, I would welcome any increase that could be achieved, but, as my right hon. Friend pointed out to the hon. Member some time ago, the difficulties make it almost impracticable to give any form of subsidy when one does not know the exact content of the organic material.