§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation payments will be made by Her Majesty's Government to farmers in Devon who suffered damage in the recent exceptional hail storms and floods; when such payments will be made; and how and to whom claims should be submitted.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesAs my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Local Government said on 15th July, farmers who suffer personal distress will be eligible for the same treatment as other people in similar situations. My Ministry will be represented at a meeting of the organisers of relief funds in the South West to be held on Monday, and any farmer who is in doubt about the help available to him should apply to the Ministry's Divisional Offices. I understand that the first priority of these funds will be the relief of personal hardship suffered by householders; but I am assured that in so far as funds are being used to relieve hardship caused by losses to businesses farming will be eligible on the same basis as any other business. The Government will itself contribute generously to bona fide relief funds as soon as the extent of the need has been determined.—[Vol. 768. c. 1041–7.]