HC Deb 04 August 1965 vol 717 c329W
61. Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why no farm improvement grant is given for constructing a concrete stave silo for storing wet grain; what report he has had on the subject of the successful storage of wet grain in stave silos throughout Scotland from the Agricultural Research Council; and to what extent his Department claims back an improvement grant given for a silo for storing silage when that silo is then used for storing wet grain.

Mr. Ross

Concrete stave silos are not at present eligible for farm improvement grant because they are not sealed and it is not established that they will keep wet grain satisfactorily. The position will be reviewed in the light of experiments by the Agricultural Research Council which are not yet completed. As regards the last part of the question grants are not given under the Farm Improvement Scheme for silos for storing silage. They may be given under the Silo Subsidies Scheme and no conditions as to subsequent use are attached.