HC Deb 21 November 1972 vol 846 cc321-2W
19. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue the practice of paying hill sheep and hill cattle subsidies on the total number of breeding ewes and cattle.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

My Department will continue to pay subsidy on eligible breeding animals in flocks and herds which qualify under the hill livestock subsidy schemes.

28. Mr. Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the special hill rates of grant to include provision of all farm buildings, including houses for farm workers on hill land.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

No. Grant at the normal rates is available for this purpose in the hill areas as elsewhere. I do not consider that there is a case for differential rates.

30. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what form and in what way the hill farming production grants will be paid after the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community; and whether European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund funds will be available for this purpose.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

We see no reason to change the hill livestock subsidies. As with all subsidies, they will be reviewed from time to time in the light of circumstances. The availability of FEOGA funds has not yet been decided by the Community, but we shall be able to take a full part in the decision.

Mr. Roderick

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce additional provisions to help hill farmers with such matters as improvement of farmhouses, mechanisation, and winter keep subsidy, on the lines adopted by the French Government, details of which are in his possession.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

There is no reason at present to think that those measures would be an improvement on our existing arrangements which have been designed to suit circumstances in this country. The subject of aid for mountain areas is, however, due to be considered by the EEC in the near future, and the case for any new provisions can be examined in that context.