§ 34. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to introduce arrangements for paying farm improvement grants on the basis of standard costs, since this would be of particular benefit to farmers using their own labour.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)Regulations for this purpose have been made and are being laid before Parliament today. They will come into operation on 21st April. From that date it will be possible for a wide range of improvements and part improvements to be accepted for grant aid on the basis of either actual or standard costs at the option of the applicant. The provision for standard costs will, it is hoped, be generally helpful, particularly to farmers wishing to do the work themselves.
§ Mr. PeytonDoes my right hon. Friend realise that that Answer will be most welcome, and that this does fill up the gap in this scheme which was devised particularly to help small farmers? I hope that my hon. Friend realises how very welcome his consideration of this problem is.
§ Mr. HareI am grateful to my hon. Friend. I think these provisions will be 340 helpful, and I know already that representatives of landowners and farmers have expressed their welcome of them.