§ 6. Major McCallumasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision has been reached on the rate of hill sheep breeding ewe subsidy for the current year; and on what basis it is to be paid.
§ Mr. T. FraserIt is proposed to lay before the House tomorrow a Statutory Instrument fixing a rate of 5s. per breeding ewe. In terms of the Hill Sheep (Scotland) No. 2 Scheme, payment will be calculated on the number of eligible sheep in the flock at 3rd December, 1949, or, subject to certain conditions, and if the applicant so elects, on the number of sheep in respect of which subsidy was paid in relation to 4th December, 1946. The 5s. rate will apply to England and Wales as the standard rate, and also to Northern Ireland.
§ Major McCallumDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the number of hill sheep in Scotland is still many thousands, even millions, below what it was in 1946, and does he think that this 5s. subsidy will be sufficient to provide the incentive for the building up of sheep stocks?
§ Mr. FraserI have said that in certain circumstances the number of sheep in respect of which the subsidy will be paid may be calculated by reference to the numbers in the flocks in 1946.