HC Deb 28 June 1921 vol 143 cc1999-2000W
Mr. ROYCE

asked the Minister of Agriculture the terms of settlement arrived at with the representatives of the National Farmers' Union or other bodies representing farmers in relation to the compensation to be paid by the Government for wheat and oats planted under conditions set forth in Part I of the Agriculture Act of 1920; and, approximately, this year's acreage of wheat and oats, respectively, in each county in England and Wales?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The payment proposed to be made in respect of wheat and oats harvested this year will be at the rate of £3 per acre for wheat and £4 per acre for oats, subject to the provisoes to Section I of the Corn Production Act, 1917, which relate to mixed corn and to cases of negligent cultivation. Returns as to the acreage of wheat and oats are now being collected and tabulated, but complete figures for each county will not be available before the middle of August.

Captain TERRELL

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in repealing Part I of the Agriculture Act, he proposes to adopt the principle of compensating those farmers who, relying on the provisions of the Act, have taken special steps to encourage the growing of wheat and oats against their own judgment, but with a view to the public needs?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Farmers who have grown wheat or oats this year can claim the subsidy proposed in the Bill which I have introduced to repeal Part I of the Agriculture Act. No further compensation appears to be necessary, in view of the fact that any farmers who may have grown wheat or oats against their own judgment need not continue to do so after the present harvest.