§ 5. Mr. Stodartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for the half-yearly agricultural returns, which are at present made on 4th June and 4th December, to be made instead on 27th May and 27th November, respectively.
§ Mr. StodartMay I put two points to the right hon. Gentleman about which I ask him to think seriously? The first is that most tenancies end on the 28th of either May or November and, therefore, returns on that day or the previous one would make administration much tidier. Secondly, is he aware that lie has a statutory obligation to pay certain subsidies to an occupier of a farm on the 4th of the month and, therefore, it is perfectly possible—indeed it has happened—that an outgoing tenant has suffered injustice and unfairness?
§ Mr. RossI might be tempted to ask the hon. Gentleman why he did not make this change himself. It may be that an examination of the records would show him what it showed me. Scottish farmers are not "blate" in making protests about unfairness. The records show that in the last three years the number of cases in relation to disputed claims for subsidies were one in 1962; two in 1963 and two in 1964. The records also show that as many people close their accounts on 31st May as on 28th May.
§ Mr. StodartWill the right hon. Gentleman be fair enough to say that this matter did indeed exercise me? The fact that there are very few cases does not mean that they should be ignored. Fairness should be done.