§ LORD O'HAGAN asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ To explain in detail how far they have put into effect E.E.C. Directives 72/159, 72/160 and 72/161; and to summarise the object of these directives.
EARL FERRERSDirective No. 72/160 has been implemented within the United Kingdom with effect from September 1 last by means of the Farm Structure (Payments to Outgoers) Scheme 1973 and the Agriculture Act 1967 (Amendment) Regulations 1973. The implementation of Directives numbers 72/159 and 72/161 has not yet taken place and is not required until January 1, 1974.
The stated purposes of the Directives are as follows:
No. 72/159: the modernisation of farms;
No. 72/160: to encourage the cessation of farming and the reallocation of utilised agricultural areas for the purposes of structural improvement;
No. 72/161: the provision of socioeconomic guidance for and the acquisition of occupational skills by persons engaged in agriculture.
§ House adjourned at nineteen minutes before nine o'clock.