Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many schemes have been approved under the Hill Farming Act and the Livestock Rearing Act in Wales to the end of December, 1956; what is the area of land covered by these schemes and the total cost; and how many of them have been completed.
Mr. AmoryAt 31st December, 1956, 4,361 improvement schemes in Wales and Monmouthshire had been approved under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts, and 2,121 of these schemes had subsequently been varied to include additional items. The schemes relate to 4,822 holdings, comprising a total area of 970,325 acres, and the total estimated cost, including approved variations, is 25W £10,896,000. The number of schemes completed at the same date was 106; but the cost of work done and claimed for at that date was £4,324,000.