§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now give favourable consideration to the introduction of a subsidy for the transport of lime for agricultural purposes.
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§ Mr. WigginThe purchase, transport and application of lime qualify for aid under the capital grant schemes when undertaken as part of a grassland regeneration programme. Grants of up to 50 per cent. are available on hill land. We have no plans to introduce a further subsidy.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage escalation in the price of lime (a) between mid-1978 and mid-1979 and (b) between mid-1979 and mid-1980.
§ Mr. WigginThe percentage increase in the average price of lime was 10.4 per cent. between June 1978 and May 1979 and 30.9 per cent. between June 1979 and May 1980.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage decrease in the use of lime for agricultural purposes (a) between mid–1978 and mid–1979, and (b) between mid–1979 and mid–1980.
§ Mr. WigginThe survey of fertiliser practice gives estimates each year of areas in England and Wales which are treated with lime and the rates of application. Estimates of total lime usage for July-June years are as follows:
Lime (Ca 0 equivalent) usage '000 tonnes Percentage change 1977–78 1647 1978–79 1375 -16.5 1979–80 1410 +2..5