§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture the national assistance per acre which has accrued to the wheat-growing farmer under the De-rating Act and the abatements on Income Tax in the Budget of 1931–32; and what is the estimated benefit he will receive under the Wheat Bill?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe occupiers of agricultural hereditaments (that is, agricultural land and agricultural buildings) were totally exempted from payment of rates in respect of these hereditaments as from 1st April, 1929, and during the year 1929–30 the total loss of rates on this 1811W ahccount amounted to about £4,300,000. No figures are available as to the loss of rates on particular classes of agricultural hereditaments. As regards abatements on Income Tax, I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In regard to the last part of the question, assuming an "anticipated supply" of 27,000,000 cwts. of millable wheat and an acreage, which this represents, of about 1,800,000 acres, the estimated benefit would average £1 per acre for every 1s. 4d. per cwt. of "price deficit."