§ 25. Mr. Ian Gilmourasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the payment of the Selective Employment Tax by farmers will not retard farm modernisation and automation ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PeartYes. I see no reason why this tax, which will be refunded quarterly, should affect farming in the way suggested.
§ 26. Mr. Ian Gilmourasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure, through the Annual Price Review, that those farmers who have to borrow from the banks in order to pay the Selective Employment Tax will be reimbursed for the interest they will have to pay on their bank loans, without also giving a bonus to those farmers who do not require a bank loan.
§ Mr. PeartNo. These interest charges will be extremely small, but they will be taken into account in the Annual Review.