HC Deb 05 May 1988 vol 132 cc1008-9
10. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest position on the introduction of the farm diversification scheme.

Mr. Gummer

Farmers have responded enthusiastically to the introduction of capital grants for farm diversification. Since the scheme started on 1 January this Ministry has received about 388 applications covering a wide range of investments. We plan to introduce soon related grants for feasibility studies and marketing under powers being sought under the Farm Land and Rural Development Bill which we will discuss this evening.

Mr. Kirkhope

Will my right hon. Friend consider placing greater emphasis on assistance to enterprises on the fringes of urban centres, such as my constituency of Leeds, North-East? Is he not disappointed that a larger number of applications have not been received for activities involving horses, bearing in mind my interest in those activities in Yorkshire?

Mr. Gummer

I bear in mind my hon. Friend's interests in these activities, but I am not disappointed in the level of applications, because we have received a great number and wide range of them in a short time. I take my hon. Friend's point, but one of the problems that we must sort out in the urban fringes is how best to apply the planning arrangements to protect the environment, while at the same time providing people with an opportunity to diversify.

Mr. Wells

Will my right hon. Friend consider extending the farm diversification scheme to those who benefit under the banana agreement referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville), in view of his obvious antipathy to that programme? Is it not true that, under that programme, the consumption of bananas in this country has been increasing by 4 per cent. per annum?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am trying to relate this to the original question.

Mr. Wells

It relates to the farm diversification scheme. I am asking my right hon. Friend whether the scheme should be extended to other producers of bananas, who will have to diversify if banana imports decline.

Mr. Gummer

I do not think that there is any opportunity for the Government to extend the scheme to the Caribbean islands. The consumption of bananas is increasing, and should continue to do so. It is reasonable that some of those bananas should come from other developing countries that produce them. We must protect those with whom we have a long-standing agreement and understanding, but I do not see why some of the expansion should not benefit the other poorer countries.