HC Deb 10 December 1941 vol 376 cc1553-4W
Dr. Peters

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any representative of his Ministry or of the sugar-beet industry has inspected the crops of sugar-beet in which the Leake spacing drill has been used since the matter was first brought to the notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sugar Commission?

Mr. Hudson

Arrangements were made for an inspection by an officer of the Ministry of crops of sugar beet grown in 1940 for which the Leake spacing drill had been used: it is also understood that an inspection of such crops in 1941 was made by an officer of the Cambridge School of Agriculture and by representatives of the British Sugar Corporation.

Dr. Peters

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the following results have been shown in tests carried out in reference to this year's crops of sugar-beet: Smyth drill, early sown, 13.79 tons per acre, Leake drill, composite, three coulters spaced, one continuous, 15.14 tons per acre, Smyth drill, late sown, 13.72 tons per acre; and whether he will expedite the manufacture of the remaining Leake drills so that these may be demonstrated and brought into use as soon as possible?

Mr. Hudson

Dr. Leake communicated these results to me on 28th November. Work on reconditioning five Leake drills is in hand under Dr. Leake's supervision.