HC Deb 17 July 1939 vol 350 cc44-5W
Sir T. Cook

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the total acreage of pastureland in Norfolk which has been passed as qualifying for the £2 per acre grant for re-ploughing to date?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

Up to and including 15th July notifications of intention to plough up grassland have been received in respect of 8,021 acres in Norfolk. None of this acreage can be accepted as qualifying for the grant until the land has been ploughed up and the other essential conditions of eligibility for the grant have been satisfied.

Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the total acreage of land in Wales lying under bracken and poor grasslands, respectively; and whether he is considering taking measures such as those advocated by Professor Stapledon to recover the full use of this land?

Sir R. Dorman-Smith

I regret that particulars are not available of the acreage of land under bracken and poor grassland but the area of rough grazing land in Wales in 1938 is estimated at approximately 1,812,000 acres. As regards the second part of the question I would remind the hon. Member that poor grassland of potential value for arable cropping can rank for the Government grant of £2 per acre under the proposals contained in the Agricultural Development Bill, provided the conditions attaching to the grant are complied with. I would also add that the results of Sir George Stapledon's work are communicated to farmers through the educational and advisory services aided by the Ministry and through the publications of the Ministry and of other bodies.