§ 68. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why innovators of improved agricultural systems like tower silos for undried barley have been refused grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme, in view of the fact that later applicants for grant have received it.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsNew agricultural systems often require a period of research and experiment to enable them to be proved in conditions in this country. Until they are, my right hon. Friend cannot rightly regard them as improvements which, as the 1957 Agriculture Act requires, are such that a prudent landlord would be willing to make them himself or compensate a tenant for making them. Such decisions cannot be applied retrospectively because my right hon. Friend has no power under the Act to pay grant on work started before it is approved.