§ Mr. Huckfieldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what proportion of the various capital grants to the farming community is followed by on-the-farm inquiries to verify whether grants made are used to finance the purchase of the implements for which they were requested.
§ Mr. John MackieNo grant is paid in the expectation that a farmer or grower will purchase equipment or that work will be done. Leaving aside investment grants, every grant made in respect of the provision of equipment or the execution of works is paid only after one of our officers has visited the holding and verified that the equipment has been supplied or the works carried out, and, if the grant is based on actual costs, invoices must be produced.
Investment grants are paid only against receipted invoices or a certificate from the vendor and a check on the farm is made in a sample of cases. Each instalment of a grant in respect of the carrying out of a programme to promote business efficiency is paid only after a visit has established that satisfactory progress is being made with the programme. Grants towards equipment for marketing projects are paid against evidence of purchase, but reports on its use are required.