§ Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to reduce the increasing delays in payment of grant on completion of approved work; and what average period elapses between completion and payment.
§ Mr. Mackie:The average period between the receipt and payment of a claim for grant is not increasing. It is about six weeks for the Farm Improvement Scheme but it ranges from three weeks to three months according to the particular grant scheme and the pressures on 400W the office concerned. The arrangements are kept under review to ensure that payments are made as quickly as possible.