§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what considerations led him to take his decision to reduce the level of lowland drainage grants payable to farmers.
§ Mr. WigginThe main considerations taken into account in determining the new rates of grant for field drainage in lowland areas were the need to rationalise grant rates in preparation for the introduction of a new simplified capital grant scheme later this Session; the necessity to achieve savings in Government expenditure; and the benefit that the farmer can expect from such investments, which have increased substantially over the past 20 years.
At 37.5 per cent. under the farm capital grant scheme and 50 per cent. under the farm and horticulture development scheme the new rates are much higher than those for buildings and other works and should encourage farmers to continue to invest in this form of improvement.