§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern among farmers at 78W the delays in the administration of schemes for grant aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme; and, in view of these delays, if he will arrange that payment of grant shall not be prejudiced by a farmer starting work after the necessary inspections have been carried out but before his plans have been granted final approval.
§ Mr. John HareGood progress is being made with the consideration and approval of applications under this scheme. It is important that proposals should be carefully considered and I do not accept that there is any general or unreasonable delay in dealing with them. Grant cannot be paid on work started without the Ministry's written authority, and this is normally the formal approval. But to avoid delay where the proposed work has been inspected and is particularly urgent, conditional authority for the work to begin may be given if requested. The condition is that the work will be considered for grant only if the proposal is subsequently approved and the work is carried out to the satisfaction of the Ministry at reasonable cost. This authority must be obtained in writing.