§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture how many forms C412/CSS have been issued since 1st January, 1953; what is the cost; what purpose is served by asking people to answer 113 questions; and how many officials are employed in dealing with these forms.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThis form is part of the 4th June agricultural census which has a continuous history from 1866, and the need for it has rarely been questioned. The form has been issued once this year to 386,000 occupiers of land used for agriculture. Its purpose is to supply statistics from which the progress of agricultural production can be measured and for use 187W in the formulation of policy, and in the statutory Annual Review of the economic condition of the industry. This is well understood by the farming community. The cost of printing, addressing and postage was £3,800. I am not able to estimate the other costs and staff numbers attributable to this census, since the staff concerned have various other duties.