asked the Minister of Agriculture the total sums advanced to farmers and smallholders to date under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928; and what cost has been incurred upon the Treasury in connection with these advances?

Up to and including Tuesday, 18th March, 1930, the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation had advanced the following sums under Part 1 of the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928:

		£
Loans on mortgage	…	4,054,630
Improvement loans	…	8,770
		£4,063,400

In addition, the Directors of the Corporation had approved the following loans, subject to the satisfactory completion of the formalities:

		£
Loans on mortgage	…	1,377,160
Improvement loans	…	19,650
		£1,396,810

The number of agricultural charges created under Part II of the Act from 1st October, 1928, up to and including Saturday, 22nd March, 1930, was 2,052 standing in the names of 2,444 farmers. In regard to the second part of the question, information is not available as to the expense incurred by the Treasury in connection specially with the advances which have already been made, but with regard to the total disbursements by the State under Part 1 of the Agricultural Credits Act, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to-day to a question asked by the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Sawyer), a copy of which is being sent to him.