§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance has been given to the glasshouse section of horticulture from public funds for each year since 1964 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. BishopNo statistics are available of grant actually paid to particular sectors of the horticulture industry in the United Kingdom. However, by far the greatest part of this assistance was given, until last year, through the Horticulture Improvement Scheme and the table below shows the grant payable on expenditure in the glasshouse sector, so286W far as this can be determined, which was approved for grant under this scheme. Aid was also available under smaller schemes and, from 1st January 1974, under the Horticulture Capital Grant Scheme and the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme which together replaced the HIS. Information on grant approved for these schemes is not yet readily available. The first payments of the fuel oil subsidy, worth about £7 million in 1974, are due to be made shortly.
Grant payable on approved investment in the glasshouse sector under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme Financial year £'000 1964–65 574 1965–66 863 1966–67 1,833 1967–68 3,179 1968–69 3,491 1969–70 3,767 1970–71 4,114 1971–72 3,297 1972–73 6,372 1973–74 5,612
§ Mr. Newensasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now extend the subsidy on oil used by growers in the glasshouse section of horticulture beyond the date when the present scheme is due to terminate.
§ Mr. BishopI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 25th June.