HL Deb 20 May 1982 vol 430 cc797-8
Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, before I ask this Question, I must declare an interest. I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are giving to the hill farming community which forms a vital part of our agricultural industry.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Ferrers)

My Lords, particular support is given to hill farmers over and above that which is available to other farmers. The rates of hill livestock allowances are the highest which they have ever been, and these—together with payments to hill farmers of the sheep annual premium and the suckler cow premium—were worth £118 million in 1981. Hill farmers also receive enhanced rates of capital grants.

Baroness Elliot of Harwood

My Lords, I would like to thank the noble Earl very much for that extremely good news. I am quite sure it will be appreciated, when one realises that 42 per cent. of Scotland is less favoured area and all that the noble Earl has said will apply to them. I think we must be extremely grateful.

Lord Peart

My Lords, may I inform the noble Earl the Minister that I wish to support the noble Baroness.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I am grateful for the noble Lord's question. I would only inform him, if I may, that the total aid to hill farmers last year of £118 million compares with £56 million in 1979, which means that it has about doubled.

Lord Ross of Marnock

My Lords, can the noble Earl the Minister tell us what is the effect on the hill sheep industry of the price review which the Government had imposed upon them?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Ross, will have noticed yesterday, many of the parts of the common agricultural price review, which he says was imposed upon us, were in fact agreed beforehand, and many of them will benefit hill farmers.

Lord Mackie of Benchie

My Lords, would the Minister agree that 20 years ago the hill cow subsidy would in fact buy food for the cow for the winter, yet today that subsidy would not do anything like that? Would he not agree that in fact there is further room under EEC regulations to support the hill cow to a further degree?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Mackie, has his own method of calculation. All I would tell him is that between 1979 and 1982 the hill cow allowance rose from £29.50 to £44.50, which is an increase of about 50 per cent.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, when considering the very admirable support that is given to the agricultural community, will the noble Earl bear in mind that there are other vital sections of the economy that are equally exposed to the chill winds of market forces?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, of course that is perfectly true, but I cannot see what that has to do with the Question on the order paper.

Viscount Brookeborough

My Lords, can my noble friend tell the House why there has been such a delay in the presentation of the case for the extension of the less favoured areas in the whole of the United Kingdom, bearing in mind that the area which has benefited in Scotland is much greater than anywhere else in the United Kingdom?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, the survey to which my noble friend refers is now complete and the precise nature of the case which might be made to the European Commission is at present being considered.

Lord Winstanley

My Lords, would the noble Earl agree that it might be helpful to many hill farmers, particularly in the national parks, if the planning authorities adopted a slightly more co-operative attitude towards the development of alternative activities which might supplement hill farming in those areas?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, that also is an ingenious question which goes rather wide of the Question on the Order Paper.

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