WINTER KEEP (SCOTLAND) SCHEME 1966 (Hansard, 20 December 1966)

§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND (LORD HUGHES)
My Lords, I beg to move, that the Winter Keep (Scotland) Scheme 1966, a draft of which was laid before your Lordships' House on December 7, be approved. I need not take up much time in commending this Scheme to your Lordships. The Scheme applies only to Scotland. It will enable us to continue to pay grant to Scottish hill and upland farmers for growing crops during the next three years for the winter feeding of their livestock. The present Winter Keep Scheme, which expires on December 31, has allowed cropping grants to be paid to Scottish hill farmers for the last three years, and the Scheme now before your Lordships differs in only two small respects from the present Scheme.
In the first place we are dropping the requirement that farmers should tell us by the end of March which crops they intend to grow. Our experience over the last three years confirms that effective control over the Scheme can be maintained on the basis of the information which farmers give us in their claims at the end of June. This simplifying step will, of course, be welcome to farmers, and we are glad to be able to take it. Secondly, we are adding one new crop—fodder radish—to the list of eligible crops. Fodder radish is a very fast growing crop of the cabbage family, which is suitable for feeding to both sheep and cattle. We think it right that if Scottish farmers wish to try it out under Scottish conditions they should not be deterred by its not being grant-aided.
As I said earlier, the draft Scheme allows winter keep grants in Scotland to be paid on an acreage basis for three years. This is the maximum period for which a Scheme can be made under present legislative powers. When, how- 1958 ever the Agriculture Bill, at present in another place, becomes law the maximum period will be extended to five years. It would not have been practicable for us to wait for these extended powers before seeking approval to a new Scheme, and we think it important that Scottish hill farmers should plan their next year's cropping knowing that the Winter Keep Scheme has been renewed. I commend this Scheme to your Lordships.

§ LORD DRUMALBYN
My Lords, may I first thank the noble Lord for the statement he made in introducing this measure, and say that we are glad the Scheme is to be continued for a further three years. We are glad also to see the minor improvements that are being made, particularly in the removal of the need to notify the type of crop it is intended to grow: I think that at present it has to be notified in March. But I do not think we should pass this Order without pointing out the very grave anxiety which is felt at present among breeders of beef and mutton in Scotland, particularly in the hills. I would ask the noble Lord whether he thinks that an Order exactly, or almost exactly, on the same lines as the last one is really adequate to cope with the present situation.
I do not know whether the noble Lord is in a position to give any indication of future measures that may be taken to alleviate the present position, but would he at least indicate that the amounts of the grants proposed in this Order are commensurate with the needs of the situation? If these amounts were appropriate three years ago, does he really feel that they are sufficient in the present serious situation?

§ BARONESS ELLIOT OF HARWOOD
My Lords, may I declare an interest in this Order, since I am one of the growers of crops for hill sheep and cattle? I am delighted that the Government are continuing the Scheme, but I am depressed (on the same lines as was my noble friend Lord Drumalbyn) to think that a level of grants which was considered adequate three years ago should still be regarded as adequate to-day. It is a fact that the 1959 return of this kind of stock has been cut by practically 50 per cent., and in a good many areas by even more. I would beg the noble Lord, either now or when he considers the Price Review, to see whether these figures, which were no doubt adequate three years ago, could be looked at again in view of the disastrous two years that have just passed.

§ LORD HUGHES
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Drumalbyn, and the noble Baroness, Lady Elliot of Harwood, for their welcome for the new Order. It is true, as has been stated, that the rates which are included in the new Order are identical to those fixed three years ago. But, as the noble Lords are aware, my Department, in conjunction with the National Farmers' Union, has been conducting a special survey of conditions. It is expected that we shall have the information from that survey by the end of the year. The purpose of this survey was to have the most up-to-date and complete information to enable us to do what appears right having regard to all the circumstances of need and the availability of money. But if there is to be any adjustment of these rates the adjustment will take place at the time of the Price Review. I would remind the House that although the existing Order came into effect in 1963, it was necessary to adjust the rates in 1964 and an amending Order, altering the rates, was subsequently tabled.