§ 44. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what agricultural executive committees a limit lower than 50 per cent. is placed on assistance in respect of the cost of goods and services specified in paragraph 6 of S.I.,1949, No. 610 (S.32) (The Marginal Agricultural Production (Scotland) Scheme, 1949); and why lower limits are specified than those prescribed in this statutory instrument.
§ Mr. T. FraserThe scheme prescribes a maximum of 50 per cent. of the cost of certain measures of assistance to marginal farms. The agricultural executive committees are authorised by the scheme to offer assistance to such extent as they consider necessary to meet the needs of any particular farm. All of the committees in fact offer rates of grant varying from 10 per cent. to 50 per cent.
§ Mr. MacphersonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some agricultural executive committees have stated that they are limited in the amount they give by the total amount made available to them, and for that reason are not giving the optimum percentage but a maximum of less than 50 per cent., and is that in accordance with the Order?
§ Mr. FraserI am surprised to learn that agricultural committees are saying that they are limited so that they cannot give up to 50 per cent. So far as I am aware, they are granted varying amounts between 10 and 50 per cent., but even the Secretary of State is limited in the amount be can spend by decision of Parliament.