§ 144 and 145. Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he is aware of the concern 23W felt by Kent farmers at his decision to abandon the farm survey; and, in the interests of good husbandry, if he will reconsider the matter;
(2) the estimated saving resulting from the discontinuance of the farm survey in Kent.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend is not aware that there is any general concern among Kent farmers about the decision of the agricultural executive committee to end the farm survey. The main reason for the decision, which my right hon. Friend accepts, is that the Committee considers that its resources can now be more effectively employed in promoting technical development in co-operation with the advisory services than in detailed farm surveys. The saving resulting from the decision is estimated at £1,750 per annum.
§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that if the farm survey system is given up, the machinery whereby the good farmer has been able to help the less good farmer will no longer exist, thus inevitably lowering the general standard of farming; and if he will reconsider the decision to abandon the system.
Mr. AmoryThe encouragement of higher standards of farming continues to be a major function of county agricultural committees. It is my policy to leave it to committees to decide what surveys are necessary. They mostly feel that complete surveys are inappropriate to present conditions but I have asked them to arrange for their district committees to maintain a general oversight of farms. In this way and in co-operation with the advisory services, they are giving help to their fellow farmers.