§ 3.0 p.m.
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (LORD CARRINGTON) rose to move, That the Fertilisers (England, Wales and Scotland) Draft Scheme, 1954, reported from the Special Orders Committee on the 23rd of June, be approved. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this Order and the Order which follows extend for one year 103 the current schemes for fertiliser subsidies which expire to-morrow. The arrangements which were made two years ago have worked very well, and the only changes we propose are in the rates of contribution, to bring them into line with the changes in fertilisers' prices since the last scheme was made. The rates for nitrogen will go up and the rates for phosphates, other than basic slag, will go down, in order roughly to maintain the same relationship between contributions and prices of about 15 per cent. for nitrogen and 30 per cent. for phosphates.
§ Since the production grant was introduced by the Government in 1952 the consumption of nitrogen increased last year—that was, 1952–53—by 27 per cent. and the use of phosphates by 40 per cent., and although the figures for 1953–54 are not yet available, there have undoubtedly been further increases. Although other factors have no doubt contributed to this—such as education, advice and the successful efforts of farmers to increase their technical efficiency—I am sure that your Lordships will agree that these schemes have played a useful part in the increasing use of fertilisers. Moreover, this assistance is given at the point where it is most useful—that is to say, at the beginning of the crop cycle and not at the end. This production grant is part of the settlement at the Annual Review, and there will, of course, be another Annual Review for any further proposals submitted for the approval of the House. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Fertilisers (England, Wales and Scotland) Draft Scheme, 1954, reported from the Special Orders Committee on June 23, be approved.—(Lord Carrington.)
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord very much for the short but clear exposition he has given of the Order. I would merely say that, from practical experience, what he has claimed on behalf of these grants is strictly correct; they have made a great difference in the productive output. I think perhaps the only fault at present is that, with the assistance which has been given by the Government, they are not used even more widely than they are.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.