§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the increase in wheat acreage which has taken place in each of the counties in England and Scotland since the wheat quota was imposed; and whether he can give the deficiency payments which have been made in each of these countries?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Wheat Act, 1932, no doubt had some effect in increasing the acreage planted to wheat for the 1932 crop as compared with the 1931 crop, and a still greater effect in the following year. Details of acreages by counties form a lengthy tables of figures, which I am sending to my hon. Friend. Figures for countries are as follows:
1272W
ACREAGE UNDER WHEAT. — 1931. 1932. 1933. Acres. Acres. Acres. England 1,180,907 1,270,514 1,639,106 Wales 15,794 17,430 21,283 Scotland 60,024 52,072 78,386 Total 1,246,725 1,340,016 1,738,775 Deficiency payments do not become payable until after the close of the cereal year on 31st July. Full payments have therefore been made in respect of one cereal year only, but three advances on account have been made in respect of the current cereal year. The amounts are as follows :
— Deficiency Payments for Cereal Year ended July 31st, 1933. Advances on account of Deficiency Payment for Cereal year ending July 31st, 1934. £ £ England 4,244,715 3,303,543 Wales 25,280 25,145 Scotland 235,169 155,133 Total 4,505,164 3,483,821