§ 98. Mr. Godberasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement about the grants available for land ploughed up since 31st May.
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes. Discussions have taken place with the industry on the use of the money allocated at the recent Annual Review for a continuing scheme of ploughing grants. I am laying before Parliament today the necessary draft instrument for England and Wales and Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for Scotland is taking appropriate action for Scotland.
In order to ensure a substantial contribution in 1953 towards the extra million acres of tillage referred to in the Government's recent White Paper, as well as providing an incentive for the regular ploughing up of leys, it is proposed to pay a standard rate of£5 per acre for grass sown before 1st June, 1949, and ploughed up in the 12 months beginning 1st June, 1952. Normally land must be cropped for next year's harvest. Direct reseeding will rank for grant exceptionally if approved beforehand as the right course in the interest of good husbandry.
180WIn addition, there will be a special high rate of grant of£10 per acre for ploughing up and bringing into cultivation land which has been under grass continuously since 1939, where the expenditure involved in clearing the land, ploughing and preparing for cropping justifies this special rate. This will apply only to proposals which have been approved before hand for that purpose. A further announcement will be made on this special grant as to how farmers should apply for approval.