§ 4. Sir J. Duncanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the amount of interim deficiency acreage payments on barley and oats which he intends to pay; and when he expects to pay them.
§ 33. Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the interim deficiency acreage payments on barley and oats.
Mr. VaneAdvances of deficiency payments for the cereal year 1961–62 will be made at the rate of £6 10s. an acre for barley and £5 an acre for oats and mixed corn. Advances for barley will be subject to a deduction of 15s. per ton for deliveries during the period from 1st July to 31st October in accordance with the arrangements which my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 17th May last. Payments will start at the beginning of January and will be completed as quickly as possible. The total advances will amount to about £34 million.
§ Sir J. DuncanMay I take it from those figures that the figure of £34 million is included in the Supplementary Estimate, totalling £344 million, which was published today?
Mr. VaneThe greater part of the £34 million arises in the original Estimate. Only a small part of it is covered by the Supplementary Estimate.
§ Mr. PeartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Question of his hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Sir J. Duncan) is put in view of the Supplementary Estimate? As the figures are broken down for England and Wales, 609 ought there not to be a Scottish Minister present to answer? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in view of his right hon. Friend's previous reply and the Government's whole approach, we shall vigorously press this matter in debate when we return after the Christmas Recess?