HC Deb 27 May 1970 vol 801 cc1921-2

NEW PROVISION AS TO STANDARD COSTS, ETC. FOR CERTAIN GRANTS

Lords Amendment: No. 4, in page 34, line 29, at end insert: (3) Section 1(4)(c) of the Agricultural Improvement Grants Act 1959 (which authorises standard cost regulations for the purposes of section 3 of the Pests Act 1954) shall cease to have effect.

Mr. Mackie

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harry Gourlay)

With this Amendment we can take also Lords Amendments Nos. 18, 19, 20 and 21.

Mr. Mackie

This is a minor tidying-up operation which will enable us to repeal the whole of the Agricultural Im- provement Grants Act 1959. Section 1(4)(c) of that Act authorises the making of standard costs regulations for the purposes of Section 3 of the Pests Act 1954, which gives Ministers powers to assist the cost of the destruction of pests or the taking of preventive measures, for example, the clearance of scrub. No use has been made in the past of these provisions and there is no intention of doing so in future. Standard costs for the clearance of scrub and destruction of harbourage for pests can be made available under Clause 29.

Question put and agreed to

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