HC Deb 27 March 1963 vol 674 cc1289-90
2. Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if lie will make the payments of improvement grants to farming syndicates on the same basis as improvement grants to individual farmers.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. James Scott-Hopkins)

The Government are paying grants to farmers' machinery syndicates towards the cost of buildings to be used mainly for grain drying and storage or for housing farm machinery, and the terms of grant are broadly similar to those of farm improvement scheme grants to individual farmers.

Miss Quennell

Is my hon. Friend aware that individual farmers receive grants in one amount, whereas in the case of syndicates the moneys received are 50 per cent. of the certificated costs with the balance spread over five years, and that this is hardly encouraging to members of farming syndicates?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

As my hon. Friend said, 50 per cent. is paid on completion of the building and the remainder is spread over five years. It is true. We do this because the grants are given for certain uses of the building only, and this is the only way we can retain a measure of control over its use for at least the initial period of five years.

Miss Quennell

Can my hon. Friend have another look at this to see if it is possible to iron out the anomaly as between the two systems?

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

I am always prepared to look at anything my hon. Friend wants to raise, but I think the position remains broadly as I have stated.