Sir H. SAMUELasked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the total capital of the Anglo-Dutch group of beet-sugar companies; how much of this was share capital; what amounts have been provided for depreciation during the subsidy period, placed to reserve, paid in dividends without deduction of Income Tax, and retained as unallocated balances; and what have been the rates of dividend in each of the subsidy years?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe information desired is given in the following statement:
§ Dr. ADDISONThe arable acreage and the number of agricultural workers in the area comprising the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincoln and the Isle of Ely in the years 1921, 1924 and 1930 were as follow:
971W
Year. Arable Acreage. No. of workers. 1921 …… 2,535,212 138,287 1924 …… 2,484,170 133,288 1930 …… 2,384,571 131,303 The corresponding figures for the remainder of England and Wales were as follow:
Year. Arable Acreage. No. of workers. 1921 …… 9,083,024 730,896 1924 …… 8,444,503 673,175 1930 …… 7,448,378 610,393 The average annual percentage decreases in the periods 1921–24 and 1924–30 were as follow: 972W
— 1921–24. 1924–30. Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincoln and Isle of Ely: Per cent. Per cent. Arable acreage .67 .67 Workers 1.20 .25 Remainder of England and Wales: Arable acreage 2.34 1.97 Workers 2.63 1.55