§ Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been paid to the agricultural industry in Scotland in grants and subsidies in each of the past 10 years.
§ Mr. MaclayThe amount of grants and subsidies paid to the agricultural industry in Scotland in each of the past ten years is as follows:
£000 1951–52 … … … … 6,816 1952–53 … … … … 10,444 1953–54 … … … … 12,415 1954–55 … … … … 27,918 1955–56 … … … … 27,358 1956–57 … … … … 34,792 1957–58 … … … … 42,544 1958–59 … … … … 39,920 1959–60 … … … … 38,517 1960–61 … … … … 41,058 There is included in these figures the amount applicable to Scotland in respect of United Kingdom subsidies paid by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
In the years prior to 1954–55 the implementation of agricultural price guarantees in respect of cereals, fat-stock, milk, eggs and potatoes was dealt with by the Ministry of Food through a net trading account. For these years it is not possible to identify the element of subsidy to Scottish farmers for these commodities.