Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether it is likely to be more costly to pay a farmer grants and subsidies to produce wheat or barley on previously uncultivated land, as well as buying the grain into intervention and selling it below world prices, than to pay him compensation for leaving the land as it is, supporting their conclusions with average figures based on their most recent experience; and, if so, whether they will henceforth meet the cost of compensation.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)There are so many imponderable elements in this Question that I regret it is not possible to give a reply with any accuracy.