§ Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a decision has yet been reached concerning the payment this year of the hill sheep subsidy.
§ Mr. John HareAfter full consideration of all the relevant circumstances and consultation with the interests concerned, the Government have decided that they would not be justified in paying a hill sheep subsidy in the United Kingdom this year. The estimated financial returns to hill sheep farmers in 1957 were generally at a very satisfactory level compared with 1956. The question of the subsidy will be reconsidered next year in the light of the economic conditions prevailing in the hill sheep industry in 1958.