HC Deb 31 October 1957 vol 575 c380
22. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make county council smallholdings eligible for the new improvement grants.

Mr. Amory

I am considering this question and hope to reach a decision shortly.

Mr. Digby

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of these smallholdings need capital expenditure just as much as other farms and that some of the county councils are short of finance for the necessary improvements?

Mr. Amory

I agree with that point. I am aware of it, but I must bear in mind that the Government already make Exchequer contributions to the estimated losses of authorities on improvement schemes for their smallholdings, and I must be careful that we do not pay twice.