§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will announce the outcome of the examination of the horticultural industry undertaken during 1965 in consultation with the farmers' unions.
§ Mr. PeartA summary record of the examination is being published today. I576W am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House. This examination, the first of its kind, was a factual study of developments within the industry and will form a useful starting point for the second examination which we propose to hold during 1967. With my colleagues who are responsible for horticulture in Scotland and Northern Ireland, I have discussed the outcome of the examination with the Farmers' Unions, and would wish to put on record my appreciation of their valuable and objective collaboration.
§ Mr. Derek Pageasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now give further details of his proposals for extending the scope of the Horticulture Improvement Scheme.
§ Mr. PeartThe National Plan envisaged that the horticultural industry could contribute to a selective expansion programme by providing a substantial part of our additional requirements of horticultural produce which can be grown here at home. The examination of the industry during 1965, of which a summary record is being published today, has brought out the changes which are taking place in the structure of the industry and the new technical developments which are an important factor in its increasing efficiency.
The present Horticulture Improvement Scheme, however, which restricts grants to proposals for the benefit of land which has been used continuously for horticulture for at least two years, excludes proposals involving a change of site or the bringing of new land into horticultural use and discourages the rotation of crops. The scheme also excludes farmers who grow vegetables extensively, which is one of the most efficient methods. Grant is not available for additional production buildings or for facilities intended to serve land to be added to an existing unit. These restrictions handicap progressive growers, and we propose to introduce a new and broader scheme more consistent with the needs of an efficient industry and the objectives of the National Plan for an expansion in home production. We shall also consider extending the list of plant and equipment for which grant is payable.
Detailed proposals are being worked out in consultation with the Farmers' 577W Unions and will be embodied in due course in a statutory instrument which will be presented to Parliament for approval.