asked the Minister of Agriculture the annual cost of the county war agricultural executive committees, including the area of East Suffolk, for the latest available period.

Mr. Hudson:

I would refer the hon. Member to the Civil Appropriation Accounts (Class X, War Services), 1942, which have just been issued.

Will this report give to the taxpayer the complete cost of the work?

Mr. Hudson:

It will give the complete cost for the year concerned, but it is inevitable that it will not present an altogether true picture. It has to take into account all the claims for betterment arising out of the work done in that particular year. Furthermore, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, the figures may include large expenditure in respect of fertilisers and cultivation, of which we shall get the benefit only in the following year.