§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the financial difficulties of the National Proficiency Test Council.
§ Mrs. FennerYes. The council has been in touch with me and I have agreed that, pending a study to determine a viable long-term basis for proficiency testing in agriculture, funds should be provided to enable the council's work to continue. Assistance will be limited to 319W the financial years 1973–74 and 1974–75 and will be subject to a ceiling of £35,000. Payment will rest on the authority of the Appropriation Act and a Supplementary Estimate will be presented to Parliament in due course. Meanwhile with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer recourse will be made to the Contingencies Fund.