§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to help farmers who have incurred large commitments for capital installations for which they had obtained grant under the Agriculture and Horticulture Acts but who will not now receive payment because of the Government's measures.
§ Mr. PeartNothing in the Government's economic measures will involve the withholding of grant from farmers who have received approval to improvements under the Agriculture Act, 1957 or the Horticulture Improvements Scheme.
I announced on 22nd April, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Kenyon), the Government's intention of paying the new 25 per cent. Farm Improvement Scheme grants under the authority of the Summer Appropriation Act pending specific legislative authority. This Act received Royal Assent on 9th August and claim forms are being sent as soon as possible to farmers who have started work with our written agreement on improvements eligible under the Scheme.