§ 5.46 p.m.
§ EARL FERRERS rose to move, That the Draft Fertilisers (United Kingdom) Amendment Scheme 1973, laid before the House on April 17, be approved. The noble Earl said: My Lords, this Scheme continues to allow the payment of claims made by farmers and growers for a contribution towards the cost of their fertilisers. It extends the operation of the 1972 Scheme for a further year, to May 31, 1974, with the subsidy rates unchanged; and it is expected that the total cost of the subsidy for 1973–74 will be about £14 million. The only change provides for any value added tax to be excluded from the allowable cost of fertiliser which is used to calculate the maximum amount of subsidy payable. Because purchasers will normally be able to recover value added tax, this element is not part of the final cost of the fertiliser. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Draft Fertilisers (United Kingdom) Amendment Scheme 1973, laid before the House on April 17, be approved.(Earl Ferrers.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.