§ 30. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to improve the administration of the Hill Farming Livestock Rearing Improvement Schemes.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. G. R. H. Nugent)My right hon. Friend has made no major change recently, but consideration is now being given to the recommendations of the Committee appointed to review the provincial and local organisation of the Department, together with those of the Welsh Agricultural Land Sub-Commission affecting the administration of grants and subsidies in mid-Wales.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the particular criticism of this administration, and in view of its heavy cost in proportion to the amount spent in improvement grants, will the Joint Parliamentary Secretary ensure that this matter is treated urgently, and that action in this regard does not await the general action that has been taken on the Arton Wilson Report?
§ Mr. NugentThe Arton Wilson reference to heavy cost of administration was to the marginal production scheme and not to the hill farming scheme.
§ Mr. WilleyWill the hon. Gentleman look again at the Report?