§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture how many experts are now engaged on the soil survey of England and Wales; how long has the work been in progress; what districts have been surveyed; and what steps have been taken to co-ordinate the results of soil examination made on behalf of occupiers by provincial advisory centres and certain farm institutes, so that the comprehensive survey so necessary for the land fertility schemes may be expedited?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonSoil surveys come within the duties of the advisory chemists at 12 provincial advisory centres, at six of which trained assistants have been appointed expressly for survey work. Work has been in progress for many years, but it is only recently that as a result of experience in this and other countries the basis of a surveying technique has been worked out which would fully satisfy scientific requirements and enable surveys to proceed on uniform lines. The work is now conducted under the general supervision of a conference of experts. As regards the districts surveyed, I am sending my hon. Friend a bibliography of literature dealing with soils in England and Wales, from which he will see that information has been gathered from many areas. As regards the last part of the942W question, the results of the testing of soil samples for deficiencies are being recorded in the various areas on uniform lines agreed upon by the conference of provincial advisory chemists.