§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to assist the Lea Valley growers to overcome their current difficulties arising out of the uncertainty which hangs over the future of the horticultural industry in that area.
§ Mr. PeartIt is true that growers in certain parts of the Lea Valley are likely to be uncertain about the future use of their land until planning decisions are taken following the request made by the former Minister of Housing and Local Government in February, 1963, to the London County Council and the Herts, and Essex County Councils to discuss the possibility of releasing glasshouse land in the Green Belt for housing. Applications recently made by the Greater London Council for permission to develop certain areas in the Valley for housing have now been called in for decision by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but it will necessarily take time for a decision to be reached.
127WUnder the present system a grower who wishes to remove his business to another site is unable to get a grant under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme towards the cost of replacing or reconstructing a glasshouse on the new site unless that site has been in horticultural use for at least two years. I am satisfied that, in those, circumstances, in the Lea Valley or elsewhere, this general condition of the Scheme is unduly restrictive, and propose, in due course, to ask Parliament to approve an amendment to the Scheme. Pending this, payments will be made to growers whose proposals do not satisfy this condition but otherwise comply with the terms of the Scheme. Payments will be one-third of the expenditure reasonably incurred in replacing or reconstructing any permanent building in which horticultural produce is grown and in providing any necessary ancillary equipment. Proposals must be approved by the Ministry in writing before any work is begun.