§ 39. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will examine again the position of small owner-occupiers in the crofting counties who farm holdings similar to crofts but who in future, will be denied assistance either under the Crofters Commission or the Marginal Agricultural Production Scheme.
§ Lord John HopeThe small owner-occupiers who have received assistance under the previous Marginal Agricultural Production Scheme will continue to do so for the 1959 cropping season under the new Scheme.
§ Mr. GrimondIs it not the case that after that they will receive no assistance? Is it not a position without any rhyme or reason to have one man, a crofter, who will receive extremely generous grants under the Crofting Acts and to have a next-door neighbour who has bought his croft who will have no grant under the M A.P. or under the Crofting Acts? After all the talk about encouraging people to own the land, is there any reason at all for this?
§ Lord John HopeThe hon. Member has stated the problem perfectly fairly, and its urgency and intensity are certainly recognised.
§ Commander DonaldsonOn the broad aspect of the M.A.P. Scheme, as announced last week, are my noble Friend and my right hon. Friend keeping before them the possibility of receiving further suggestions regarding the continuation of the Order under the M.A.P. Scheme after the year of grace which was announced last week?
§ Lord John HopeThat is a little wider than the Question, but my hon. and gallant Friend knows perfectly well that we are examining the whole problem afresh in the light of representations which we have received.
§ Mr. SteeleAre we to understand that with the £7½ million bribe given to horticultural interests yesterday in the House it is also being considered, in view of what the Minister has said today, that something more might be done for the small farmer?