§ 3. Sir L. Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that in the last two years the first acreage payments in Yorkshire for barley, oats and mixed corn were received on 19th December, 1959, and on 19th January, 1961, respectively, but that this year the first such payments were not received until 1st March, 1962; and what action he proposes to take to restore payments to a day in December in future.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)Advance deficiency payments to Yorkshire growers of barley, oats and mixed corn were completed by 25th January, 1962, except where payments required adjustment under the new incentive arrangements for barley, and these adjusted payments were made in all straightforward cases at the end of February. It was expected that the new seasonal payments arrangements for barley would involve some delay in the first year of operation, but we hope to improve on this in future by an increase in mechanisation of the payments procedure.
§ Sir L. RopnerIs it not a fact that these payments are falling back year by year? Can my hon. Friend give me an assurance that they will fall back no further?