HC Deb 13 May 1981 vol 4 cc749-50
1. Mr. Lang

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his assessment of the losses to farmers in southern Scotland caused by the blizzards of 23 and 25 April; and what consideration has been given to the payment of compensation.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)

It is too early for a final assessment. A preliminary survey indicates that the bulk of the Scottish hill farming industry has escaped relatively unscathed, though there are reports of heavy losses by individual farmers in the south-western and border areas. I shall consider the matter further when I have fuller details of the losses.

Mr. Lang

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Although it seems that the overall situation may not be as bad as one feared, does he not agree that some individual farmers, especially in my constituency, have suffered badly? Can he hold out any hope of aid towards recovery for them under one or other of the funds under the common agricultural policy? Will the Government add their weight to such an application?

Mr. Younger

I agree with my hon. Friend. Information that I have received suggests that some farmers have suffered severe losses, as they have in the area of my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) and in Ayrshire too. In the past assistance has been received from the European Community disaster fund for this sort of occasion. I understand that the National Farmers Unions are considering whether to put a case direct to the Commission. My officials will be available to help in preparing any such case.

Mr. Milian

There were some reports that the Scottish Office had turned down the suggestion of making financial recompense. Are those reports inaccurate? Is it not true that the initiative to the Common Market should come from the Government, not from the NFU?

Mr. Younger

I did not see such reports, but if there were any they were inaccurate. The Scottish Office has not turned down such a suggestion. It is normal for organisations to apply to the Commission, but my officials will help in doing so.

Mr. Grimond

Although my constituency did not suffer heavily from those storms, when the Secretary of State is considering the condition of agriculture in general will he bear in mind the poor economic returns that it is suffering? Will he consider some general help to the industry?

Mr. Younger

I accept what the right hon. Gentleman says. As he will appreciate, the decision to be made is whether there has been such a large-scale national disaster that special aid is required. I agree that agriculture has had a difficult time generally but the Government have done all they can to help.

Back to