1021.] Questions in Parliament. 851> 



July. 1920. the same Committee did not see their way to recommend the continu- 

 ance of these concessions to agriculturists, and the charges on agricultural 

 produce were, therefore, increased in September, 1920, by the same percentage 

 over 1919 rates as applied to other merchandise in the same classification, 

 with the exception that the increase on specified manures was limited to 

 50 per cent. The provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1920, had no bearing on 

 the matter : the increased rates of September. 1920, were intended to secure 

 sufficient additional revenue in 11 months to produce financial equilibrium 

 over the last 16 months of control, but the depression in trade and the 

 coal stoppage largely defeated this aim and rendered any general reduction 

 in rates before the end of Government possession impracticable. It is. 

 however, open to the agricultural interests to make application to the Rates 

 Tribunal under Section 60 of the Railways Act. 1921. for a reduction in 

 existing rates, if they so desire. (October 25, 1921.) 



Corn Production Acts (Subsidy Claims.)— In reply to a question 

 by Mr. Glanville. Sir Arthur G. Boscawen stated that the total number of 

 claims received is appioximately 194,000, relating to 1,937,000 acres of wheat, 

 2.063.000 acres of oats, and 130,000 acres of mixed corn. The investigation 

 of the claims will not be completed for some time yet. These figures, there- 

 fore, include some duplicate and other inadmissible claims. (October 24, 1921.) 



In reply to a question by Mr. A. Herbert, the Minister of Agriculture stated 

 that the interpretation of Section 1 of the Corn Production Act. 1917. as 

 regards fractions of an acre has been referred by the Ministry of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries and the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, jointly, to the Law 

 Officers of the Crown, for both countries for their opinion. The Law Officers 

 have advised that the Departments are not liable to make any payments in 

 respect of fractions of an acre, and that they have no power by Regulation 

 to legalise such payments. (October 31. 1921.) 



Land Settlement.— Mr. C.White asked how many men had been settled 

 on the land under the Land Settlement Acts from 1st January, 1919, to 1st 

 October. 1921 ? 



Sir Arthur G. Boscawen : Complete returns of Michaelmas lettings are not yet 

 available, but the total number of men settled on the land by councils between 

 the dates mentioned is estimated to be 15,750, to which should be added 712 

 provided with holdings or employed on the Ministry's farm settlements. Of 

 the total number thus settled, 14,786 are ex-service men. (October 24. 1921.) 



Fertilisers.— In reply to a question by Mr. Gardiner, Sir Arthur G. 

 Boscawen stated that the prices at which fertilisers may be sold in the United 

 Kingdom are not now controlled by the Government in any way. Supplies of 

 all the principal fertilisers are. it is understood, more than sufficient to meet the 

 demand, and considerable reductions in price have taken place during the last 

 few months. There is no reason to suppose, therefore, that farmers will be 

 asked to pay unreasonable prices for their fertilisers next season. (October 24.. 

 1921.) 



Potatoes (Diseases).— Mr. Gardiner asked whether lie was aware that 

 very large quantities of potatoes were being offered from countries where 

 there was no inspection for wart or other infectious diseases ; and whether he 

 would take such action as would protect this country from the danger of such 



