§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that there will be no discrimination against farms under the 275 standard man days per annum limit in the payment of Farm Improvement Grants.
§ Mr. John MackieAs the Farm Improvement Scheme is a scheme for long term improvements to agricultural land,368W the tests set out in Clause 30 of the Agriculture Bill relate to the capacity of the land rather than the size of the farm business carried out on it. We have to be satisfied before paying grant that the farm is big enough to provide a sufficient livelihood to an occupier reasonably skilled in husbandry. But I can assure my hon. Friend that each case will be considered on its merits and if the tests of the scheme are met, the application will be approved whatever the size of farm.