HC Deb 24 March 1965 vol 709 cc553-5
30 and 31. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many claims for cereal deficiencies and ploughing grants have been refused by his Department during 1964, owing to non-receipt by his Department before the closing date;

(2) how many claims from the county of Norfolk for cereal deficiencies and ploughing grants have been refused by his Department during 1963 and 1964, owing to non-receipt by his Department before the due closing date.

Mr. John Mackie

In 1964, 154 late claims for cereals deficiency payments and 266 late claims for ploughing grants were rejected in England and Wales. Of these, 5 and 3, respectively, were from Norfolk. Nineteen late claims from Norfolk for cereals deficiency payments and 1 for ploughing grant were rejected in 1963.

Mr. Gilmour

I welcome the fact, if it is a fact, that the figures for Norfolk seem to be no worse proportionately than for other counties. Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that to withhold deficiency payments because claims are late is a penalty out of all proportion to the offence? Will not he work out some more sensible and rational system?

Mr. Mackie

Hon. Members should remember that these claims result in a considerable enhancement of farmers' incomes and that farmers should do their best to see that the claims are made in time. We should appreciate that the number of claims makes an enormous amount of work at the Ministry and that if they are late some form of penalty should be imposed. We are looking at the question and we know the difficulties. The system is such that only illness and administrative faults are taken into consideration in respect of late claims. I agree that in many cases the penalty is heavy, but I hope hon. Members will appreciate that the farmers who are getting something for the claims ought to do their best to see that they do not cause added work at the Ministry.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

The hon. Gentleman has given a somewhat sympathetic answer to the supplementary question put by my hon. Friend. Would he go further and say that the Government are considering a possible system of fines to meet a problem which certainly exists?

Mr. Mackie

I cannot anticipate what we are going to do. We shall consider what the hon. Member said.

Mr. Hooson

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House how many late claims were allowed? Is he aware that from past experience with the previous Government I know that there is great dissatisfaction when some claims are allowed and some are not? Will he state the basis on which late claims are allowed, or are disallowed?

Mr. Mackie

The only basis on which late claims are allowed is if there is illness at the time of the claim or an administrative fault on the part of the Ministry. If the hon. Gentleman wants the figures, I will send them to him.

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