HC Deb 05 February 1953 vol 510 cc225-6W
66. Sir J. Crowder

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to reduce the deficit on the lands farmed by committees of the county agricultural executive committees.

Mr. Nugent

The area farmed by county agricultural executive committees has been greatly reduced. The loss incurred in the financial year 1951–2 was very much smaller than in the year before. This year I hope there will be no loss at all.

67. Sir J. Crowder

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to reduce the loss on the hostels managed on behalf of the county agricultural executive committees.

Mr. Nugent

As a result of the rundown of the pool labour service, the number of hostels was reduced from 152 to 63 in the course of 1952. A general increase in the board and lodging charges at the hostels was introduced towards the end of the year. Compared with 1951–2, very substantial economies have already been secured, and I hope to reduce the deficit still further in 1953–4.