§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current procedure for an applicant for a hill livestock (compensatory allowance) grant in relation to the five-year period, during which a farmer might give up his tenancy or sell his farm.
§ Mr. William RossTo be eligible for payment under the Hill Livestock (Compensatory Allowances) Regulations 1975, farmers who are not in receipt of a State retirement—old-age—pension must sign an undertaking to continue to farm at least three hectares-7.41 acres—of land within the less-favoured areas for a further five years. There is, however, provision for release from the undertaking on reaching retiral age and taking the old-age pension, and also in certain other circumstances the most important of which covers the case in which the discharge of the undertaking is prevented by material circumstances beyond the farmer's control.
As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food emphasised during the debate on the Regulations on 17th December last, we intend to interpret this provision as flexibly as possible. Each case will be considered on its merits, and the action to be taken on a breach of an undertaking will depend on the circumstances of the individual case.