§ Colonel Burtonasked the Minister of Agriculture the amount paid out to farmers who have ploughed up their land under the bonus scheme of £2 per acre, and the amount still outstanding?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithThe amount paid to date in respect of land ploughed up is approximately £486,000. A number of cases under examination represents another £50,000. It is not possible to estimate the amount of land already ploughed in respect of which certificates have not yet been received from county executive committees, and on which, therefore, payment has not yet been made.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the delay in the payment in certain cases of the subsidy due to farmers who have ploughed up their land after having been encouraged to do so by the Government, and of the hardship caused especially to small farmers; and whether 1738W he will make a statement as to how long a farmer is likely in future to have to wait before receiving payment?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on 22nd February to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère).