§ 11. Mrs. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the growing concern among farmers in Scotland about the reduction of marginal-aid production grants; and if he will make a statement to reassure them that his policy is in the best interests of agriculture in Scotland.
§ Mr. LeburnWhile the reduction is no doubt unwelcome to the farmers concerned, it must be remembered that marginal aid was introduced as a wartime measure. The Government does not believe that it is against the best interests of our agriculture that it should now be withdrawn from those farms which, in the light of the other available forms of assistance, no longer need this special form of support.
§ Mr. HughesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a matter of profound concern among the farmers of Scotland? Is he aware that Lord Lovat has described the Government's policy as an act of folly? Is it not true that the Government's policy is taking money away from the green fields in order to waste it on Blue Streaks?
§ Mr. LeburnI agree that the M.A.P. scheme is generally regarded as having fulfilled admirably the purposes for which it was intended. There are, however, other forms of assistance to encourage the breeding and rearing of cattle in our upland areas, for example, the hill cow subsidy and the calf subsidy, both of which were increased as a result of the 1959 Annual Review.