HC Deb 03 February 1959 vol 599 cc188-9
23. Sir J. Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now state the conditions under which the larger farmers will receive marginal agricultural production grants this year.

Mr. Maclay

The procedure and operations to be assisted will remain materially the same as for the 1958 cropping season. For the rest I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) and for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 27th January.

Sir J. Duncan

May I ask my right hon. Friend if there is a flat rate of 50 per cent. for marginal farmers or is there to be a good deal of discretion for those who have marginal farms only without low ground farms? Will they get more than those who have marginal land farms with low ground farms?

Mr. Maclay

There will be discretion by the A.E.C.s, but the average will be 50 per cent.

28. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of his recent decision on marginal aid payments to farmers in Scotland, if he will now issue a special leaflet explaining, in detail, how farmers will now qualify for these payments.

Mr. Maclay

No, Sir. The operation of this Scheme is already well known to the farmers concerned, and the agricultural executive committees notify farmers on the marginal lists individually of the conditions and invite applications for assistance.

Mr. Hughes

If this is so well known to everyone concerned, how does the Minister explain the special committee of Conservative Members which has been set up to watch him? Does not he realise that his latest somersault has created a great deal of bewilderment and uncertainty in Scotland, and that farmers want to know exactly what he intends to do?

Mr. Maclay

I think that I have given a very clear Answer to the Question which the hon. Gentleman asked.