§ 33. Sir J. Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an outline of his proposals for grants in respect of winter keep and permanent grassland improvement as far as they affect Scotland.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John Maclay)Discussions on the details of the schemes have not yet been completed, and I regret I cannot add at present to what has been already said.
§ Sir J. DuncanIs my right hon. Friend aware that I asked only for an outline of his proposals? Can he be a little more specific? Does he realise the importance of getting this legislation through before the end of M.A.P.?
§ Mr. MaclayThe winter keep scheme is intended to give direct encouragement to the provision of winter keep in our hill and livestock rearing areas, since it is winter keep which so largely determines stocking capacity in these areas. It is hoped that the scheme will hold a fair balance between winter feed from tillage crops and from grass.
§ Mr. HoyThe right hon. Gentleman will realise that this is of tremendous importance to Scotland and to the Scottish farmer. It is important that we get the proposals contained in this suggested scheme before, as the hon. Member for South Angus (Sir J. Duncan) has said, M.A.P. goes out of action altogether. It is of first-class importance.
§ Mr. MaclayI am very well aware of the time factor involved, but I cannot commit myself on dates for legislation. However, the importance of farmers knowing what is happening is fully appreciated.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my right hon. Friend further aware of the importance of this measure in areas like Aberdeenshire which concentrate on the production of meat but where, owing to the unprofitability of the oat crop now, in- 432 creasing acreages are going down to grass?
§ Mr. MaclayI am fully aware of the importance of this to all the areas involved.