HL Deb 27 February 1946 vol 139 cc913-4

2.28 p.m.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS (VISCOUNT ADDISON)

My Lords, I should inform your Lordships that we are expecting to receive the Agricultural Development (Ploughing up of Land) Bill from another place on Friday afternoon next. As your Lordships are aware, this is an urgent Bill required for the increase of corn production in this country. We propose to sit formally on Friday afternoon next to receive the Bill and to give it a First Reading. We shall put down the Second Reading for next Tuesday and we hope to take the Bill through its remaining stages the following day in order that it may receive the Royal Assent at the earliest possible moment. I hope we may have the consent of the House to this programme. I believe the Bill has general support and is entirely non-contentious. It provides for the extension of the ploughing subsidy to land that has been under grass for three consecutive years instead of seven.

LORD LLEWELLIN

I wonder if the noble Leader of the House would be good enough to say what time on Friday.

VISCOUNT ADDISON

Four o'clock.

LORD LLEWELLIN

Thank you very much.