§ 68. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the implementation of the small farms legislation in Wales; how many applications have been made up to the latest convenient date; and how many have been granted.
§ Mr. John HareWelsh farmers have shown exceptional interest in the schemes for assisting small farmers and there can be no doubt that the schemes will prove invaluable in Wales. Between 15th January, 1959, when application forms were first made available and 31st January, 1960, 6,517 applications were received in Wales under the Small Farmer Scheme and 1,562 under the Supplementary Scheme. In the same period farm business plans, based on field husbandry operations over a period of 3 to 5 years, were submitted by 4,780 applicants under the Small Farmer Scheme and of these 3,311 have been approved. In addition, 1,156 farmers have been registered under the Supplementary Scheme.