§ Mr. Wigginasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the recommendations made in the report on soil structure are being carried out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThis valuable and comprehensive report has been widely read and discussed but as my right hon. Friend said when the report was published on 12th January, the longterm problems it revealed cannot be put right overnight, but I am satisfied that good progress is being made on the problems to which it drew attention. In particular, the amount of field drainage being done each year continues to increase. A good deal of advisory work is being done by my Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service and a group of its specialists has been vigorously following up the report's recommendations and implications. Experimental work in train at the time of the inquiry has been extended.