HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 c300W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress there has been in processing applications for the farm diversification grant scheme.

Mr. Ryder

Since the farm diversification grant scheme was introduced on 1 January this year, a total of 649 applications have been received in England. Of these, 530 have been acknowledged, which means a farmer can, if he wishes, make a start on the proposed work before approval of his application is given; 303 applications have so far been approved and 66 rejected or withdrawn.