§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he proposes to make reductions in the grants payable to agricultural and horticultural cooperatives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe propose to make reductions in the grant rates payable to co-operatives broadly similar to those which have already been announced in relation to individual farm capital grants. Grant rates for horticultural co-operatives will, however, be kept at existing levels. For other co-operatives the grant rate for buildings will be reduced by five percentage points. Rates for plant and equipment are unchanged.
The changes are set out in the draft Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operation Scheme, copies of which were laid before the House on Monday.