§ Mr. John E. B. Hillasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants in his Department are currently operating the system of investment grants on combine harvesters, tractors and other farm machinery; and what plans he has for reducing this work.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe work on these grants takes up part of the time of a number of staff spread over some 40 locations. The equivalent in full-time staff is calculated at 105 for harvesters and tractors and 10 for fixed plant and machinery. When the Farm Capital Grant Scheme comes into operation the harvester and tractor grants will cease but the payments will still have to be made over some two years. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend have today made statements about fixed plant and machinery investment grants.