§ Captain Pluggeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that it is much easier for farmers to plough up their grassland during the 1510W winter period than at present, especially in view of the existing shortage of farm labour, he will consider extending the Government scheme for granting the special subsidy of £2, per acre to the 31st December next?
§ Sir W. WomersleyNo, Sir. The primary object of the grants for ploughing up grassland is to secure that more land will be in a position to grow arable crops next year should the need arise during the autumn of this year. It is for this reason that farmers are being offered some inducement to plough their land during the present summer. If a state of emergency arose during the late summer or autumn, it is contemplated that the necessary powers would be entrusted to the Government for securing that land suitable for the production of arable crops was made available for that purpose.
§ Sir W. Edgeasked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres in Leicestershire have up to the present been ploughed up to qualify for the £2 subsidy?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithUp to and including the 4th July, notifications of intention to plough up 1,172 acres of grassland under the Government scheme had been received from farmers in Leicestershire. I am unable to say what proportion of this acreage has already been ploughed up.