§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on what basis the figure of £2½ million for public expenditure cuts in fisheries grants and loans was calculated.
Mr. PearlThe estimate of £2½ million has been calculated on the basis of reducing the financial provision for fisheries grants and loans in 1977–78 to the estimated level for 1976–77.
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§ Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what percentage of the £2½ million cut in expenditure on fisheries grants and loans will affect Herring Industry Board equipment grants;
(2) what percentage of the £2½ million cut in expenditure on fisheries grants and loans will affect White Fish Authority equipment grants.
§ Mr. PeartI consider that the cuts in expenditure on fisheries grants and loans will not inhibit these organisations in meeting their commitments at current levels.
§ Mr. Cleggasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the figure of £2½ million expenditure cuts in fisheries grants and loans by the limitation of spending to current levels has been calculated, when the Public Expenditure White Paper (Command Paper No. 6393) projects expenditure in 1977–78 £0.5 million less than in 1976–77.
§ Mr. PeartThe estimate of £2½ million has been calculated on the basis of reducing the financial provision for fisheries grants and loans in 1977–78 to the estimated level for 1976–77. The forecasts quoted in Command Paper No. 6393 include provision for services other than grants and loans.