§ 43. Sir C. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing his estimate, at rates currently proposed, of the assistance available to each grade of eligible farm unit under the proposed Winter Keep Scheme as compared with the amount paid in the last year of the 122W Marginal Agricultural Production (Scotland) Scheme, with the number of recipients in each case.
§ Mr. StodartExpenditure under the Winter Keep Scheme cannot be fully assessed until all outstanding appeals in respect of eligibility have been considered. I am, however, publishing in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the best estimate I can make, together with actual expenditure under the Marginal Agricultural Production Scheme in 1962. Actual expenditure in 1963 is not yet known, but it will not differ significantly from the 1962 figures.
In making a comparison my hon. Friend would need to take into account that in 1964 the £5 per acre Ploughing Grant in hill and upland areas will be withdrawn except as an option.
The following is the table:
WINTER KEEP (Estimated Payments 1964) Number of Farm Units Estimated Expenditure £ Grade A (£1 10s. per acre) 3,340 405,000 Grade B (£2 10s. per acre) 4,100 400,000 Grade C (£4 per acre) 7,500 400,000 Total 14,940 £1,205,000 M.A.P. (Actual Payments 1962) Number of Claims Expenditure Total Assistance 7,900 £ 706,173 Cropping Grants (included above) 7,456 666,140