§ 25. Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the extension of the Agricultural Investment (Variation of Rate of Grant) Order 1967 after its expiry; and if he will consider as an alternative the reintroduction of the system of investment allowances.
§ Mr. John MackieThe Order was intended to operate for two years only and we are not proposing to extend it. The second part of the Question is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. FarrI am grateful for what I heard of that reply. However, I would call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that there is a good deal of opposition from the industry to the present system. The sooner it is scrapped and the old system returned to, the better.
§ Mr. MackieI am sorry if the hon. Gentleman did not hear my original reply, but I cannot be responsible for the bad manners of his right hon. and hon. Friends.
This was decided upon, and the hon. Gentleman is not quite right when he says that the industry is not too keen 1284 on it. I know quite a lot of people in a smaller way of business who did not get the full benefit of the allowances and who find the grants much better.