§ LORD DAVIESMy Lords, I beg to ask the first question standing on the Paper in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether they can now state the cost of tractor fuel used in the experiment in potato growing at Dolfor, Montgomeryshire; whether the experiment was initiated by and carried out under the supervision of the Montgomeryshire Agricultural Executive Committee and whether the loss will be borne by the Ministry of Agriculture.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF the MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE DUKE OF NORFOLK)My Lords, the cost of the tractor fuel used in the potato growing operations at Dolfor, Montgomeryshire, last year was £418. It is correct that the operations were initiated and carried out by the county war agricultural executive committee and that the cost is borne by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ LORD DAVIESMy Lords, arising out of that answer would the noble Duke tell us whether the experiment is likely to be repeated, and, if so, whether it is hoped to carry it out with less expenditure?
THE DUKE OF NORFOLKMy Lords, I think I must refer the noble Lord to the question which he asked originally which I was not in my place to answer. The land was reclaimed and seeds were sown at a very late stage and the initial cost will necessarily not be needed again. It is too early to tell the results of the croppings of the present year.