HC Deb 03 November 1949 vol 469 cc592-3
54. Mr. Lambert

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to safeguard the public purse by ensuring that no substitution of hill cattle and sheep takes places merely for the purpose of drawing the subsidy; and if he has any estimate of the financial loss to the Exchequer from such practices.

Mr. T. Williams

The local administration of the schemes for the payment of subsidy on hill cattle and sheep is in the hands of the county agricultural executive committees, who take full precautions, including the inspection of the cattle and, where necessary, of the sheep, to ensure that subsidy is not improperly obtained. I have no evidence that substitution of sheep or cattle for the purpose of drawing subsidy is taking place and I can therefore give no estimate of any possible loss to the Exchequer.

Mr. Lambert

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a member of the Devon agricultural executive committee has accused farmers of indulging in corruption in order to obtain the subsidies and has urged farmworkers to snoop on farmers, and will the Minister say whether it is now his policy to encourage farmworkers to snoop on farmers?

Mr. Williams

It is not my policy to encourage farmworkers to snoop on anybody, but to encourage good, efficient work. My attention, however, was drawn to the statement made by a member of the county agricultural executive committee, who subsequently has expressed his regret, and the National Farmers' Union are quite satisfied with that.