70. Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an estimate of the average time between the submission of improvement schemes under the Hill Farming Act and the giving of authority by his Department that the proposed work has been approved and may be put in hand.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe average time between the submission of detailed hill farming improvement schemes and their formal approval has hitherto been six months, although authority can be given for urgent work to be put in hand without awaiting that stage. The procedure has recently been simplified and this period should be reduced substantially in future.
Mr. VaneWill the right hon. Gentleman try not to put obstacles in the way of giving preliminary approval for some part of the work of schemes? In the County of Westmorland in the course of two years only two schemes have so far been finally approved.
§ Mr. WilliamsOn the contrary; instead of putting obstacles in the way, my various Land Commissioners can give instructions on the spot for work to commence forthwith, without waiting for approval, so long as it is understood, of course, that that expenditure must ultimately form part of an approved scheme.