§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants are available to farmers wishing to rebuild or refurbish cattle steadings for the winter; when these grants were last reviewed; and what changes are planned in the level of these grants in order to meet present rises in the costs involved.
§ Mr. William RossGrants for rebuilding or improving agricultural buildings are available under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme and the Farm and Horticulture Development Scheme at the standard rates of 20 per cent. and 25 per cent. 439W respectively. Grants are not available for normal repair and maintenance works.
Under the Farm Capital Grant Scheme cattle shelters on classified hill land may qualify for 50 per cent. rate of grant, provided they are used only for the temporary shelter of stock in periods of adverse weather.
The rates of grant were last reviewed during the 1975 Annual Price Review but were left unchanged. I have no plans at present to increase the standard rate of farm capital grants for steading buildings. The Government undertook, however, in the White Paper "Food from Our Own Resources", to keep under close review the level of capital investment in home agriculture. Discussions on the White Paper with interested organisations are in progress.