§ Lady Megan Lloyd Georgeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement about the introduction of a new Small Farmer Scheme.
§ Mr. PeartYes. A draft of the Small Farm (Business Management) Scheme, 1965 has today been laid before the House for approval to come into operation on 1st September next. The Scheme provides for the payment of grants to the occupiers of farms of between 20 and 125 acres of crops and grass with a labour requirement of between 250 and 600 standard man days. The aim of the Scheme is to give encouragement to these farmers to adopt modern business methods in order to increase their efficiency and the profitability of their farms.