HC Deb 05 November 1979 vol 973 cc8-10
5. Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he plans to give financial help to the marginal land farmers in Wales and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Farmers occupying marginal land can apply for grants for capital improvements and can obtain practical advice from the agricultural development and advisory service. The marginal land study announced on 14 March 1979 is under way and our conclusions will be made known in due course.

Mr. Howells

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. In view of the food shortage crisis on the hills, will his Department consider paying hill compensatory allowances three months earlier this year? The previous Administration did it in 1974–75. Would it be practical to do this in 1979–80?

Mr. Edwards

We have now completed our review of hill compensatory allowances and we shall be making an announcement fairly soon. The hon. Gentleman will have to await that announcement.

Mr. Alec Jones

The right hon. Gentleman said that the marginal land review was under way. Does that mean that practical work on the review is being done on the ground? When he says that we may expect the result in due course, does he mean in the coming year, or after that?

Mr. Edwards

I shall not take from the right hon. Gentleman's question the implication that I am delaying on this matter, because it was he who delayed in setting up the review for which we, when in opposition, strongly pressed. However, he will know from experience that this is an extremely complicated matter which involves detailed assessment of individual boundaries and of the economic effects in individual areas. That involves a substantial exercise on paper rather than extensive work on the ground. We have the information, and at this stage we are seeking to go through it as thoroughly as we can.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Does the Secretary of State recollect telling me by letter earlier this year that he was not prepared to announce increased hill compensatory allowances because the market would recoup the losses? Does he now accept that that has not happened? Will he therefore make an early statement on the matter?

Mr. Edwards

I have met the farmers union in Wales and I have told it that I accepted the figures that it give me. I understand the serious situation that faces hill farmers in Wales, and we are currently reviewing decisions and will make an announcement as soon as possible.