§ 27. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will recommend the payment of the small farmer subsidy and other relevant subsidies and grants to farmers who voluntarily amalgamate their holdings for the purposes of these subsidies or grants.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)The assistance provided under the Small Farmer Scheme and other improvement schemes is already given to farmers who amalgamate their holdings, provided that the amalgamation results in the holding being run as a single farm business which satisfies the conditions of the different schemes.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs my right hon. Friend saying that if two farms, on amalgamation, total more than 100 acres they will qualify?
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir. The amalgamated unit must fall within the bounds laid down.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that more amalgamation and voluntary co-operation among small units, say, of 80 acres each, would be in the interests of the farming community? Will not he consider this question again?
§ Mr. SoamesThat goes far wider than the Small Farmer Scheme.