§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture what information he has as to the extent to which home-grown seed is dressed by the farmer before sowing; what has been the total quantity and value of fertilisers bought by farmers in the United Kingdom for the past three years, respectively; and what has been the increase in the cost per ton during a similar period.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI have no information as to the extent to which home-grown seed is dressed by the farmer before sowing.
The following table shows the total quantity and cost to the farmer of fertilisers bought in the United Kingdom for the past three years:
Year 1st July-30th June Quantity Cost to farmer Tons £ 1949–50 … 4,316,000 37,487,000 1950–51 … 4,027,000 47,535,000 1951–52 (Estimated) … 3,182,000 54,689,000 In 1951–52 the farmer received a direct subsidy on phosphatic fertilisers estimated to amount to £8 million, which is included in the £54,689,000 given above. On the basis of net costs, the increase in the cost per ton during the period was approximately 69 per cent.