§ 3. Mr. Priorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many grants have been made, and what is the total cost of consolidation schemes, under the Agriculture Act, 1957.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)Twelve amalgamation schemes have been formally approved at an estimated total cost in grant of £500; some £400 has been paid to date. Seventy-six further schemes which have been approved in principle carry a potential grant liability of several thousand pounds.
§ Mr. PriorWhile welcoming the second part of my hon. Friend's answer, may I ask him if he could give more publicity to the matter of consolidation grants? Here is one matter in which we can help to make ourselves more efficient, and we hope that more farmers take advantage of it, thus enabling them to compete much better, perhaps, than at the moment.
Mr. VaneI hardly think that publicity will make a great deal of difference here. Social and economic forces are resulting in consolidation, where it is desirable, and that has been happening for a long time. I certainly do not think that we should try to force anybody out of his home.