HC Deb 09 October 1941 vol 374 cc1122-3
46. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture the considerations and conditions which are taken into account before refusing or allowing the 2S. 6d. subsidy for hill sheep breeding ewes?

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

The subsidy scheme applies to regular breeding ewe stocks of mountain breeds kept under natural conditions on mountain or hill land in accordance with the generally recognised practices of hill sheep farming. The ewes must be of a class that is kept and rears its lambs on the hills and, except in severe weather, must not be hand fed. I am sending my hon. Friend a statement and copy of the application form which give fuller details.

Sir W. Smithers

Does the Minister consider that Exmoor horned sheep bred and kept all the year round on a farm 1,400 feet above sea level should be classified as hill sheep eligible for subsidy?

Mr. Hudson

That is a matter for decision in the light of the circumstances obtaining in the given case.

Sir W. Smithers

If I bring a case to the notice of the Minister in which a flock is not brought down, will he give the matter sympathetic consideration?

47. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture for how many breeding ewes on Exmoor the 2s. 6d. subsidy has been granted; the names of the farms and the breed of the sheep; and why the 2s. 6d. subsidy for breeding ewes is not being granted to farmers on Exmoor who breed Exmoor horned sheep?

Mr. Hudson

No payment of hill sheep subsidy has yet been made in respect of ewes on Exmoor, but I am advised that most flocks fail to qualify. The system of management followed by most owners of Exmoor horned sheep does not accord with the general practices of hill sheep farming, to which the subsidy scheme was intended to apply.

Sir W. Smithers

Again I ask the Minister whether, if I bring him specific cases where sheep are kept all the year round in the most hard conditions on the top of the hills, he will give them sympathetic consideration?

Mr. Hudson

I think my hon. Friend had better read the application form.