§ 29. Mr. du Cannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many definite proposals for grant under the Silo Subsidies Act have been made; how many have been agreed; and what is the total amount of the grants.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Derick Heathcoat Amory)No central records have been maintained of the number of proposals for grant which have been made under the Agriculture (Silo Subsidies) Act, 1956, but by 31st May, 9,305 proposals in the United Kingdom have been approved, the total amount of grant payable being £1,422,522.
§ Mr. du CannWill my right hon. Friend say whether he is satisfied with this progress? Will he also say whether he thinks West Country farmers in particular are taking advantage of the provisions of this excellent Act, and whether he thinks that our bill for imported feedingstuffs will be any less this year?
Mr. AmoryYes, I am very satisfied with the overall response to this scheme. I think that, on the whole, there has been a very satisfactory response from the West Country, and I am hopeful that in the 752 long run it will have a good effect on restricting our necessary in ports of feedingstuffs.
§ Mr. H. HyndDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that if some of these Government grants and subsidies were diverted to the coal industry it might help that industry?