HC Deb 19 May 1965 vol 712 cc224-6W
48. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the out-turn of the cost of support to agriculture in the year 1964–65; and how this compares with the three previous years.

Mr. John Mackie

The latest out-turn figure (subject to final adjustment and audit) of the cost of agricultural support in the financial year 1964–65 is £264.8 million. The details are given below. The comparable figures for the three previous years are 1961–62 £342.6 million, 1962–63 £309.6 million and 1963–64 £293.9 million. Details are shown in the Annual Review and Determination of Guarantees 1965 (Cmnd. 2621).

LATEST OUT-TURN OF THE COST OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT IN 1964/65 (SUBJECT TO FINAL ADJUSTMENT AND AUDIT) CLASS V, VOTES 3, 4, 5 & 6.
I. Farming Grants and Subsidies £
million
1. General Fertilisers Subsidy 31.4
2. Lime Subsidy 9.9
3. Grants for Ploughing up Grassland 8.1
4. Grassland Renovation Grants —
5. Field Drainage and Water Supply Grants 3.8
6. Grants for Improvement of Live-stock Rearing Land 1.4
7. Winter Keep Grants 2.5
8. Bonus Payments under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Scheme 1.5
9. Calf Subsidy 20.4
10. Hill Cattle and Hill Sheep 11.7
11. Silo Subsidies 0.3
12. Grants for Farm Improvements 11.5
13. Grants to Rabbit Clearance Societies 0.4
14. Grants to Small Farmers 4.8
15. Other Grants 0.1
Total I 107.8
II. Implementation of Agricultural Price Guarantees
£
million
1. Cereals:—
Wheat and Rye … 15.9
Barley … 37.4
Oats and mixed corn … 10.0
63.3
2. Fatstock:—
Cattle … 9.8
Sheep … 5.7
Pigs … 32.1
47.6
3. Eggs … … 32.3
4. Wool … … 2.3
5. Potatoes … … 0.7
Total II … … 146.2
III. Other Services
Payment to the Exchequer of Northern Ireland 0.8
Totals I, II and III 254.8
IV. Administrative Expenses
Applicable to I and II only … 10.0
Total cost of Agricultural Support … 264.8

49. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the cost of support to agriculture in the year 1965–66, forecast in Command Paper No. 2621 at £294 million, is not over-estimated; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Mackie

The hon. Member will appreciate that there are many factors liable to cause variations in the cost of agricultural support. The present estimates were constructed on the best information available at the time and I have no reason so early in the financial year to think that they do not give a reasonable forecast of the order of the cost in 1965–66.