HC Deb 02 May 1961 vol 639 cc99-100W
Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number and average cost of farm improvement schemes carried out under the 1957 Act; how many schemes were for farms under 100 acres; and how many schemes concerned amalgamation of holdings.

Mr. Vane

In the United Kingdom at the end of March, 1961, 130,579 applications covering some 217,360 individual improvements has been approved at a total estimated cost of £88,884,480 representing £29,628,160 in terms of grant and at an average estimated gross cost of £681 per approved application (£227 in terms of grant). Because of the form in which the records are kept it is impracticable to say how many approved applications have been carried out in full. 109,611 improvements have been completed and grant of £17,868,478 paid including a small number of instalment payments for incomplete work.

52,614 applications had been approved in England and Wales and Northern Ireland at an estimated cost of £24,856,165 (£8,285,388 in terms of grant), for farms of under 100 acres and so far £4,511,785 has been paid in grant. It is regretted that similar figures are not readily available for Scotland.

Twelve schemes have been formally approved for grant at an estimated cost in grant of about £500 for the incidental legal and other expenses of amalgamation. In addition approval in principle has been given for a further 76 schemes of amalgamation.

Mr. Prior

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the categories of farm improvement grants, and the average cost and number of grants in each class.

Mr. Vane

The categories of improvements eligible for grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme are prescribed in the Second Schedule to the Agriculture Act, 1957. In the United Kingdom the number of approved improvements, so categorised, and the average grant for each type of improvement, based on the estimated cost, as at 31st March, 1961, are as follows:

— Approved Improvements
Number Estimated average grant
£
1. Farm buildings 130,835 184
2. Sewage disposal 5,047 46
3. Roads, bridges, etc. 13,674 117
4. Electricity 17,768 66
5. Pens and dipping, etc., accommodation 2,655 71
6. Fencing, walls and gates 26,298 40
7. Cattle grids 1,152 37
8. Reclamation of waste land 3,813 66
9. Shelter belts 157 67
10. Removal of hedges, etc. 7,169 41
11. Claying and marling 59 138
12. Other items 8,731 84
Total 217,358 136