Marquess of Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to publicise the farm amalgamation scheme; and whether it his intention to produce an explanatory brochure.
§ Mr. PeartThe Farm Amalgamations and Boundary Adjustments Scheme and the Farm Structure (Payments to Out-goers) Scheme have already been widely publicised. Press notices about them were issued on 27th July after they had been laid in draft before Parliament and again on 8th November to announce the publication of the approved schemes. They have also received publicity on television, on radio and in the Press, and I am glad to say that further articles will appear shortly.
45WAn explanatory leaflet about the schemes has been available to farmers since 27th July and a Welsh version since 16th August. They are mentioned in the latest edition of the booklet "At the Farmer's Service" which was made available on 15th September. An illustrated leaflet is ready for distribution at farming shows and exhibitions and will be available at the Royal Smithfield Show in December. I am arranging for the hon. Member to see copies of these publications and I can assure him that we shall continue to take the action needed to bring these schemes to the attention of those who could benefit from them.
Marquess of Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications have been made under the farm amalgamation scheme.
§ Mr. PeartUp to last Friday night we had received 30 applications under the amalgamations scheme and 85 applications under the payments to outgoers scheme. However, the schemes were published only last Wednesday and they involve far-reaching personal decisions for farmers thinking of taking on more land or giving up their farms; it is, therefore, much too early to judge the eventual response. But we have received some 2,000 inquiries about them since July when they were published in draft.