HC Deb 06 March 1952 vol 497 cc65-6W
49. Sir L. Ropner

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total estimated cost of the £5 per acre grant to farmers for the ploughing up of lands which have been under grass for four years or more.

Sir T. Dugdale

No precise estimate is possible; but as I have already said, I hope that 500,000 acres of land will be ploughed up and sown to crops this spring, in which case the cost would be £2½ million.

58. Mr. G. Brown

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the campaign for greater food production is being hampered by landlords refusing permission to tenant farmers who wish to plough up grassland; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter.

Sir T. Dugdale

No. I have no reason to suppose that the co-operation of landlords generally in the drive for increasing food production by ploughing up grassland will not be readily given.