§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture why Mr. Weston, Chattisham, near Ipswich, has been sent Form No. C412/CSS, which contains 113 questions on all forms of fanning and, in view of the fact that Mr. Weston only owns a garden, if he will end this practice; how many of these forms are sent out annually; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe form is the 4th June agricultural return sent to occupiers of land used for agriculture. Mr. Weston's name was put on the list in 1951 because his holding comprised three acres of land on which 70 head of poultry were being kept and where there was an orchard. Recent information shows that less than one acre is now being used for agriculture and steps are being taken to delete the holding from the list.
The June agricultural returns are sent to some 386,000 occupiers. The cost of printing, addressing and postage is about £3,800. As for the last part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the statement I made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 20th November, 1952, about agricultural returns generally.