§ 41. Mr. Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount paid, and for what number of cattle, in respect of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, under the Hill Subsidy Act in 1954, 1955, and 1956; and what was the amount paid in 1958.
§ Mr. John HareI regret that these figures could not be made available without undue expenditure of time and labour.
§ Mr. MarshallIs my right hon. Friend aware that his Department appears to be considering a different approach to these laws and that this is neither understood nor liked? How can he come to a reasonable decision without having the figures available?
§ Mr. HareI am considering the possibility of a new basis, because there have been complaints about the method of paying the subsidy. We are considering whether it is possible to relate the number of cows on which subsidy is paid to the carrying capacity of the applicant's enclosed land. I am pursuing my studies on that.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill the Minister resist the continual appeals from his hon. Friends for more public money to be given to farmers?
§ Mr. HareMy hon. Friend the Member for Bodmin (Mr. Marshall) generally puts a very good case and I always listen to it very carefully.