§ 46. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make grants under the Horticulture Act to horticultural producers, whose glasshouses and holdings have been destroyed or severely damaged in the recent storms, to help them replace plants, seedlings and equipment on which their livelihood depends and which may not be covered by normal insurance policies.
§ Mr. SoamesI have no power under the Horticulture or any other Act to make grants for the replacement of plants or seedlings or for the repair of buildings and other equipment; but where permanent buildings—other than dwelling houses and buildings in which produce is grown—have been so badly damaged that they have to be re-erected or reconditioned, a grant may be made in accordance with the terms of the Horticulture Improvement Scheme. I am giving instructions that any applications shall be dealt with speedily. I am also asking the Advisory Service to do all it can by way of advice to growers who have lost their crops.