§ 39. Mr. de Ferrantiasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the long-term advantages of machinery syndicates, when he will reach a decision on how the Farm Improvement Scheme can be extended to cover buildings required by such syndicates.
§ Mr. SoamesIt would not be possible within the existing Statute to extend the Farm Improvement Scheme in this way.
§ Mr. de FerrantiIs the Minister aware that a favourable decision could do much to increase farmers' incomes, and that, furthermore, in the long run it might even save the taxpayers some money? Will he therefore try to reach a decision as soon as possible?
§ Mr. SoamesI am aware of the problem underlying my hon. Friend's Question, but in the Question he referred to the Farm Improvement Scheme and I answered that it is not possible within the existing Statute to extend that.