§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will issue application forms for investment grants; when he will start paying grants; and what will be the interval between the expenditure being incurred and the payment of grant.
§ Mr. John MackieApplication forms for agricultural investment grants have been available since 15th May, the date on which the relevant sections of the Agriculture Act 1967 came into force. In England and Wales the forms can be obtained from the Divisional Offices of my Department and in Scotland from the Area Offices of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. Payments of grant are now being made but some initial delay may be unavoidable in dealing with the backlog of claims.
The interval between the date expenditure is incurred and the payment of grant will depend on the type of grant involved and the conditions under which it is paid. We shall try to pay grant as soon as it is due.