§ Mr. H. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture what are the principal items of State expenditure in relation to agriculture in England and Wales during the present financial year?
Mr. GUINNESSThe principal items of State expenditure in relation to agriculture in England and Wales during the present financial year are as follow:
£ Collection of Agricultural Statistics 36,000 Agricultural Education 303,750 Agricultural Research 310,750 Eradication of Diseases of Animals 185,000* Live Stock Improvement 52,900 Land Settlement 920,000† Land Drainage 95,500 Agricultural Wages Regulation 36,900‡ Agricultural Credits and Cooperation 328,000§ Improvement of Marketing of Agricultural Produce 25,000 Rural Industries Development 10,600 Beet Sugar Subsidy 2,975,000 Relief of Agricultural Rates 4,735,000 Total £1 0,014,400 The figures in this statement are based generally on the Parliamentary Estimates for the year. They exclude expenses of administration (salaries, travelling, rent, rates, stationery and printing, superannuation, postage, etc.). * Includes Scotland. This figure does not include provision for any contributions from the Local Taxation Accounts under statutory direction which may be necessary if 1590W
— 1926. 1927. 1928. No. of hours. Cost. No. of hours. Coat. No. of hours. Cost. £ £ £ Paid overtime: Established Staff … 264,627 55,010 242,322 37,456 268,228 41,624 Temporary Staff … 276,474 119,609 142,176 41,624 Unpaid Overtime: Established Staff … 156,691 — 157,776 — 153,466 — Totals … 697,792 55,010 519,707 37,456 563,870 41,624 disease becomes prevalent to an extent beyond that for which the above sum will suffice to cope.
† Excludes loans, if any, from the Public Works Loan Board for the purposes of, the new Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926. No reliable estimate of the requirements under this head in the current financial year can at present be made.
‡ The work arising under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, is almost wholly of an administrative character. In this instance, the expenses of administration have been included.
§ Includes £292,500 advanced under Section 1 (1) (i) of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928.