§ Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, as a result of the latest increase in the statutory minimum wage of agricultural workers, he proposes to raise the present minimum income requirements for grant on buildings under the Farm Capital Grant and Horticulture Improvement Schemes.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartYes. It has been decided to raise the minimum annual income figure which an agricultural or horticultural production business should be capable of yielding after improvement, from the present figure of £960 given in paragraphs 7 and 5 respectively of the Ministry's leaflets CG1 and HIS I to £1,150. This increase will apply to applications received on or after 16th April 1973. It is understood that a similar increase will be applied in Scotland from the same date. In Northern Ireland the minimum will continue to be equivalent to the statutory minimum agricultural wage in that country.