§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now publish Sir Derek Rayner's study of the administration of the farm and horticulture capital grants scheme.
§ Mr. WigginThe report on the study of the administration of the capital grant schemes which was undertaken in consultation with Sir Derek Rayner was an internal document not intended for publication. On the basis of that study my right hon. Friends and I proposed procedural changes on which we have held consultations with a wide range of interested parties. Following these consultations a draft statutory instrument—the 181W Agriculture and Horticulture Grant Regulations 1980—was laid before Parliament on 2 July.
§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report a detailed breakdown, including the period of time envisaged, of the savings of 400 staff he anticipates his proposals for changes in the administration of farm and horticultural capital grants will make.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerIt is estimated that the new procedures to be introduced later this year will result in 200 staff savings in 1981–82 and 100 in both 1982–83 and 1983–84.
§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in the light of his proposals for changes in the administration of farm and horticultural capital grants, how in future he proposes to exercise his duty under the Countryside Act 1968 to have regard to the desirability of conserving the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside in areas which are not designated as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty or sites of special scientific interest.
§ Mr. WigginFarmers will be advised to consider the conservation and environmental implications of their proposed investments; ADAS advice on these matters will, as now, be generally available to them. In considering claims for grant we shall have regard to conservation and reserve the right to reject a claim relating
Quantity (kg) Value (£) 1970 1973 1977 1978 1978 Whole chickens — — — 21,489 24,871 Unboned chicken, halves or quarters — 17,983 — 10,898 12,987 It is not possible to quantify the chicken content of poultrymeat imported as cuts other than halves or quarters, or as prepared or preserved poultrymeat. Chicken meat can be imported under a number of tariff headings which also
182W
Quantity (kg) Value (£) 1970 1973 1977 1978 1978 Fresh or frozen cuts — 357,927 11,951 198,850 310,385 Prepared or preserved containing more than 25 per cent, of poultrymeat other than turkeymeat 511,353 309,829 1,329,032 1,538,027 4,538,188 to an investment which has seriously damaged the countryside including its flora and fauna. It is the responsibility of the environmental and conservation bodies to identify areas where such damage would be serious.
§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regard he had for the staffing of and financial investments to, local authorities, district councils and the Nature Conservancy Council, in drawing up his proposals for changes in the administration of farm and horticultural capital grants.
§ Mr. WigginI have consulted the Association of District Councils, the Association of County Councils and the Nature Conservancy Council and have taken their views into account in preparing the agriculture and horticulture grant scheme.