§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he has replaced the previous system of improvement grants by the new Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme; what representations he has received about the complexity of the scheme and reduced levels of grant under it; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mrs. FennerI would refer my lion. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Tom King) on 14th November—[Vol.22W 864, c. 176–178.]—from which he will see that the proposed new system of grants is more favourable than the present system in some respects and less favourable in others. As might be expected, we have had criticism of the less favourable features and also of the complexity of the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme; we have explained that these arise from general requirements applying to all members of the European Community.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he expects the agriculture and horticulture industry to receive a higher total of grants under the new Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme and Capital Grants Scheme than under previous arrangements; and what are the comparable annual figures.
§ Mrs. FennerThe new features of the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme make it difficult to estimate the likely response from farmers and growers. We do not anticipate, however, that the total grants payable under this and the new Capital Grants Scheme will differ significantly from the total amount paid in the current financial year under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme 1970 and the Horticulture Improvement Scheme 1970.