asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state in regard to the farm improvements scheme, 1940-41, and 1941-42, (a) total amount paid to date in grants; (b) total number of applications dealt with; (c) total approximate acreage (1) reclaimed, and (2) put under crops in both seasons; (d) number of men previously in receipt of unemployment benefit who were absorbed into reproductive work under the scheme (approximate to figures); (e) number of men who were continued in farm employment during winter and early spring through being engaged under the scheme (approximately).
Written Answers. - Farm Improvements Scheme.
The following are the particulars asked for by the Deputy, in so far as they are available in my Department:—(a) £279,182; (b) 39,470; (c) (1) 28,676 acres, (2) the information under this head is not available; (d) 41,021; (e) 19,004.
The figures under (d) and (e) are only roughly approximate. They are summarised from monthly returns furnished by the Department's local officers and they cannot be taken as correctly representing the numbers of different individuals concerned.