HC Deb 31 March 1955 vol 539 c47W
32. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Agriculture the capital investment in the agricultural industry for each of the years 1952, 1953, and 1954, respectively; and what steps he is taking to encourage further investment.

Mr. Amory

Gross investment in agricultural equipment and buildings in Great Britain is estimated to have been £80 million, £83 million, and £88 million for 1952, 1953, and 1954, respectively. Government encouragement includes the investment allowances for machinery, plant and buildings introduced at the last Budget; recent determinations of farm price guarantees, which recognised the need of farmers for additional resources; and the agricultural capital allowances for landowners given in Section 314 of the Income Tax Act, 1952.