HC Deb 19 February 1964 vol 689 cc203-4W
64. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on housing subsidies, and farm subsidies and grants, respectively, in each of the last 12 years.

Mr. Noble

The following is a table showing the net issues from the Housing, Scotland, Vote, and from the Agricultural Votes in so far as they relate to farm subsidies and grants in Scotland, in each of the last 12 financial years:

Housing Farm Subsidies
£ million £ million
1951–52 10.566 6.816
1952–53 10.992 10.444
1953–54 12.883 12.415
1954–55 14.556 27.918
1955–56 12.647 27.358
1956–57 13.853 34.792
1957–58 15.334 42.544
1958–59 16.259 39.920
1959–60 17.698 38.517
1960–61 18.702 41.058
1961–62 19.551 53.161
1962–63 18.371 46.615

There is included in these figures the amount applicable to Scotland in respect of United Kingdom agricultural subsidies paid by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

In the years prior to 1954–55 the implementation of agricultural price guarantees in respect of cereals, fat-stock, milk, eggs and potatoes was dealt with by the Ministry of Food through a net trading account. For these years it is not possible to identify the element of subsidy to Scottish farmers for these commodities.