HC Deb 04 December 1968 vol 774 cc493-5W
Mrs. Ewing

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons are employed by the White

Mr. Henry Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in Northern Ireland who are entitled to grants for farm amalgamation have declined these grants because of the provisions of Sections 1 and 3(i) of Schedule 3 to the Agriculture Act, 1967 which prohibits the sale of any land for 40 years if such grants are accepted.

Mr. John Mackie

By 28th November, 32 applicants in Northern Ireland for grant under the Farm Amalgamation and Boundary Adjustments Scheme, 1967 had withdrawn their proposals. Although applicants who withdraw proposals are not asked their reasons, it is believed that 6 of the 32 were deterred by the provisions of Schedule 3 to the Agriculture Act, 1967.

Mr. Henry Clark

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inquiries have been received from farmers in Northern Ireland, by counties, for amalgamation grants under Section 26 of the Agriculture Act, 1967 and for outgoers grants under Section 27 of the Act, respectively; how many applications have been approved; how many have had to be refused; and how many are pending.

Mr. John Mackie

Figures for firm applications at 28th November are as follows:

Fish Authority in total and of these how many are employed on research and development; in each case what number are employed in Scotland; and of the total expenditure of the authority how much is spent in Scotland.

Mr. Hoy

I am informed by the White Fish Authority that the number of employees on 31st March, 1968, was 193 of whom 89 were employed on research and development. The numbers employed in Scotland were 58 and 22 respectively.

Expenditure by the Authority in the year ending 31st March, 1968, including grant and loan assistance to fishermen and processors administered by them on behalf of the Government, totalled £3,024,000 of which £913,000 related to Scotland.