§ 72. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture how many forms AM 54 are issued annually; what is the annual cost; and what purpose they serve.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThese forms are the basis of the census of agricultural machinery. It is taken in alternate years. At this year's census of 14th January, the number of forms issued was 389,000 and the cost of printing, addressing and postage amounted to £3,500. The purposes are to assist in measuring the progress of agricultural production, in which farm mechanisation is a major factor; and in connection with the Annual Review of farm prices, to assist in assessments of the costs of machinery repair and depreciation, both of which are major items of farm expenses.