§ Mr. Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether it is his intention so to administer the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, 1966 that Government grants will be made to growers to build up their businesses, without the size and established position of the applicants, as growers, being taken into consideration;
(2) whether it is the Government's intention to assist foreign importers of horticultural products to establish themselves as growers in this country by the provision of Government grants under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, 1966;
(3) if he is aware that the Horticulture Improvements Scheme, 1966 is resulting 123W in the creation of entirely new holdings rather than supporting existing growers; and if he will amend the scheme to reverse this trend;
(4) if he will amend the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, 1966 so as to enable the British grower to compete more effectively with the European producer.
§ Mr. HoyThis Scheme was approved in draft by both Houses of Parliament and is part of our policy for encouraging investment that will make production in this country more efficient and competitive. I see no grounds for discriminating between applicants on the lines suggested or implied by the hon. Member.