HL Deb 26 March 1962 vol 238 cc764-5

2.37 p.m.

EARL BATHURST

My Lords, I beg to move that this Order be approved. This Order renews the special assistance to Northern Ireland agriculture—often known as the "remoteness grant", as the noble Lord opposite well knows—for a further five years, and increases the amount of the grant by £250,000 a year. Section 32 of the Agriculture Act, 1957, provided for a grant of £1 million a year for five years, and this five-year period expires at the end of this month. The section also empowers the three Agriculture Ministers to make an Order, subject to an Affirmative Resolution of both Houses of Parliament, renewing the grant for up to five years at a time, and altering the annual amount. This Order has been made in pursuance of that power.

Moved, That the Payments in Aid of Agricultural Schemes (Extension) Order, 1962, be approved.—(Earl Bathurst.)

LORD WILLIAMS OF BARNBURGH

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Earl would feel disposed to say one or two words about the term "under approved arrangements"? I cannot imagine any noble Lord wishing to oppose this Order, but I think that perhaps the noble Earl would help a few of your Lordships if he were to say a word or two on what the approved arrangements are, as briefly as possible.

EARL BATHURST

My Lords, the approved arangements are really nothing more than agreements or arrangements between the three Agriculture Ministers and the Minister of Agriculture, Northern Ireland. The principle is that we in Parliament have voted a sum of money to Northern Ireland agriculture through the Ministry of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, and that money can be spent as the Minister in Northern Ireland would care to spend it—shall I put it in that way, my Lords? Nevertheless, because the power is given year by year it must come within the approval of the three Ministers in the United Kingdom. I hope that explains the point to the noble Lord.

LORD WISE

My Lords, can the noble Earl inform us how the sum of £1,250,000 is made up? Can he break it down in any way?

EARL BATHURST

My Lords, I can tell the noble Lord only that last year it was spent partly upon the subsidy per ton of silage which was made in Northern Ireland, partly upon breeding cattle and partly upon store cattle. I am afraid that, without notice, I cannot tell the noble Lord exactly how much was spent under each particular head, but, so far as I know, it will be roughly the same in the forthcoming year.

On Question, Motion agreed to.