§ 4. Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what effect he estimates the withdrawal of Marginal Agricultural Production grants will have on the farmers on the Slamannan Plateau in Stirlingshire.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord John Hope)My right hon. Friend sees no reason to expect any considerable change in production in this area.
A further Marginal Agricultural Production Scheme has now been made for the current cropping year and thereafter assistance on similar lines will continue to be available for a further three years for marginal farms of less than 150 acres of crops and grass.
§ Mr. WoodburnWhilst thanking the noble Lord for that assurance, may I ask whether he will give a further assurance that if these farmers in that area, which is rather difficult from the forestry and farming point of view, find that the withdrawal of these grants threatens their ability to continue farming, his Department will be quite prepared to consider their representations?
§ Lord John HopeYes, Sir.