Mr. Gandar Dowerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost per acre of growing oats in Caithness; and what is the average yield of the estimated profit and loss per acre.
§ Mr. WestwoodI regret that complete data on the cost of production of oats in Caithness are not available. In 1945,
12Wapproximate average grant per recipient under the Scheme for the Assistance of Marginal Agricultural Production in 1945. The numbers of subjects assisted are also given.
on three farms in Caithness, the average cost per acre was £10 14s. 4d. The average yield per acre of these farms was 15 cwt., worth £11 8s. 9d. at 1945–46 prices. To this must be added the value of the straw produced—about one ton per acre. As the hon. Member knows, however, the oats grown in this area are for the most part not sold but are fed to livestock.