§ 20. Mr. Stodartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much agricultural lime was used in Scotland during 1963 and 1964, respectively; and what percentage of the total tonnage required in each year was produced in Scotland.
§ Mr. RossThe amounts of agricultural lime used in Scotland in 1963 and 1964 were 992,000 tons and 1,064,000 tons respectively; the percentages of these tonnages produced in Scotland were 52 per cent. and 50 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. StodartCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the percentage of the production in Scotland is falling? Does he think that it is due to the operation of the 100-mile cut-off in the subsidy scheme, and is he therefore considering this, remembering the review which was promised after the agreement which was made with the farmers' unions and the lime producers?
§ Mr. RossYes, we are looking at the agreement to see how it works out, but it is far too early to say that the falling off is due to the reasons suggested. As the hon. Gentleman well knows—because he was sitting on this Front Bench on the night this scheme was prayed against, when he did not say a word—this is a complicated matter and more than just the transport element is involved.
§ Mr. George Y. MackieCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he considers it fair that Scottish lime should receive a subsidy of 5s. a ton less than English lime?
§ Mr. RossIt does not necessarily follow. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the lime scheme is different for Scotland and there are further regional differences within Scotland. It is a very complicated formula, but if the hon. Gentleman wants to know why it was introduced, let him look at the Report of the Public Accounts Committee which criticised the previous lime scheme, which the last Government changed last year.