HC Deb 26 January 1966 vol 723 cc190-1
10. Mr. Stodart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications for farm improvement grant were received by his Department between the months of December and June inclusive in the years 1962–63, 1963–64 and 1964–65, respectively.

Mr. Ross

The following are the figures:

1962–63 … … … … 3,357
1963–64 … … … … 3,724
1964–65 … … … … 3,555

Mr. Stodart

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Farm Improvement Scheme has made a great contribution to production in Scotland? Would he also agree that from the figures he has given the months from December to June are the peak period in which applications are received? As he and his right hon. Friends have called for an expansion in the food production programme in Scotland, is it not planning so bad that one would hardly have imagined that the right hon. Gentleman could have been capable of it not only to reduce the rate—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Front Bench Members must put brief supplementary questions.

Mr. Ross

As far as I can remember the first two points made by the hon. Gentleman, my answer is, "I agree. I agree". As to the last point that he made, I do not agree at all, of course. What we are doing here is to provide an additional £80 million in respect of the scheme, and we are extending its range. That is why there has been a reduction from one-third to 25 per cent.

11. Mr. Stodart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schemes under the farm improvement grant were proceeded with on the basis of provisional authority during 1962, 1963 and 1964, respectively.

Mr. Ross

I regret that the information asked for is not readily available and could not be extracted without inordinate cost.

Mr. Stodart

Would the right hon. Gentleman accept from me that it is unusual, to say the least, for provisional authority to have to be given for a period running up to about seven months, and that the fact that no final authority is available between 17th November and the end of June is causing great disturbance in the minds of those who want to plan ahead?

Mr. Ross

That might be so, but it does not change my original Answer.

Forward to