§ Mr. Brocklebank-Fowlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is in a position to specify what grant aid will be available to farmers in eastern England for the clearing of debris following abnormal flooding on 11th January; and if he will say how requests for financial assistance should be made.
§ Mr. BishopYes. Under the Farm Capital Grant (Variation) Scheme, 1978, grant is available at 50 per cent. for operations to clear debris from land affected by abnormal flooding. Farmers affected can obtain advice and full details on the procedures to be followed from the Ministry's local divisional offices, where copies of an explanatory leaflet are also obtainable. I am placing a copy of this leaflet in the Library of the House.