Improvement Grants

HC Deb 30 January 1958 vol 581 cc110-2W

106. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been granted to small farmers of 100 acres or less under the Agriculture Act, 1957.

Mr. Godber

The estimated cost of work approved to date for farm improvement grant in respect of farms of 100 acres or less in England and Wales is £828,000.

107. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what sum he expects to expend during the current 12 months in grants under the Agriculture Act, 1957.

Mr. Godber

For the financial year to 31st March, 1958, the Estimates provide for £100,000 for farm improvement grants in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. As regards the next financial year, I must ask my hon. Friend to await publication of the Estimates for the Department.

Sir F. Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications have been received in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, respectively, for grants for improvements under the Agriculture Act, 1957; how many have been approved; and what is the cost involved in each county.

Mr. John Hare

The following are the figures up to the end of December, 1957:

—	Norfolk	Suffolk
Applications received of which:—	497	548
Rejected or with drawn	91	84
Approved	112	150
at an estimated cost of	£91,754	£123,408
Ready for approval subject to provision of certain in formation by the applicant	73	48

Sir A. Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the specialisation nowadays forced more and more on the small farmer tends to make him ineligible for grants under the farm improvements scheme on the grounds that his proposed improvement is considered a factory type development and not for the benefit of the land; and if he will give consideration to this problem to see whether it can be put right.

Mr. John Hare

My hon. Friend will have gathered from the reply given to him on 23rd January that, under the terms of the Act, it is not open to me to accept any proposal for an improvement which is not for the long-term benefit of the land or is not such as a prudent landlord would provide.