§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, SCOTTISH OFFICE (LORD FORBES)My Lords, the Scottish Ploughing Grants Scheme for 1959 is identical in terms with the Scheme for 1958, except for advancing by one year all qualifying dates other than the date June 1, 1946, the date since which land must have been down to grass in order to attract the higher rate of grant. The Scheme is in 452 similar terms to the corresponding English Scheme except on three points of Scottish application. First, the definition of "grass" has been adopted to suit Scottish conditions. Secondly, the Scottish Schedule makes provision for apportionment of grant where there has been a change of occupier during the period of operations. I understand that such a provision is unnecessary in the English Scheme since there are already statutory provisions to cover the point. Thirdly, there are also special Scottish provisions to cover combined applications by a group of small landowners or crofters where the acreage ploughed on each individual holding may be less than one acre. This follows established practice in. regard to such occupiers. The general considerations of which the Scottish Scheme are based are those which have already been mentioned by my noble friend Earl Waldegrave. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Ploughing Grants (Scotland) Scheme, 1959, be approved.—(Lord Forbes.)
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, in view of the last part of the explanation I feel inclined to ask the noble Earl the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry whether Her Majesty's Government contemplate making similar provision for smallholdings, say of less than one acre, in Wales as well as in Scotland. We have special schemes for Scotland and the noble Lord the Minister of State, Scottish Office, keeps referring to the "English scheme", in which Wales is included. A very great number of smallholdings are cultivated in Wales and there are already strong differences between members of the National Farmers' Union there, someone having started a Welsh Farmers' Union because it is felt that Welsh farmers do not get proper treatment according to their special circumstances. If provision like this is made for Scotland (which may well merit it) what of the situation of the very small man in Wales?
EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, the Scheme that I have moved is for England and Wales and Northern Ireland and there are no special conditions attached for Wales.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.