§ 9. Mr. PaiceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what types of projects have been most popular among farmers applying for farm diversification grants.
§ Mr. RyderGood quality holiday accommodation accounts for just over 30 per cent. of applications and recreational and educational facilities for about 20 per 1005 cent. Food processing, farm shops and livery are also popular choices; indeed, there is a widespread interest in most of the enterprise for which grant-aid is available.
§ Mr. PaiceI thank my hon. Friend and welcome him to his new post, but may I suggest that many of the ventures that he described—indeed, probably all of them—could lead to many farmers falling foul of the planning legislation and that there is a great need to give guidance to farmers on planning and for a much more open-minded approach on the part of many planning and highway authorities?
§ Mr. RyderI thank my hon. Friend for his kind welcome. I agree with his judgment of farmers' appreciation and understanding of planning laws. It is precisely for that reason that we shall be publishing a farmers' guide and leaflets dealing with the planning system later this year. I very much hope that they will help farmers to understand the planning system better.
§ Mr. Allen McKayIn diversification, what emphasis is being given to organic farming?
§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithHow sure is my hon. Friend that the most popular diversification grant will not go towards housing, and what safeguards can he give?
§ Mr. RyderI can give my hon. Friend an assurance that diversification grants do not go towards housing. On the other hand, I would point out that there is one grant which to the best of my knowledge, has not been made so far, and that is a grant for martial arts.