HC Deb 19 January 1978 vol 942 c341W
55. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the main grants and incentives, including the provision of adequate farm buildings, available to those who farm in less favoured areas.

Mr. Strang

Farmers throughout the country receive assistance towards approved investment, including the provision, improvement or replacement of farm buildings, under the farm capital grant schemes (FCGS) and the farm and horticulture development scheme (FHDS), and may be eligible for guidance premium under FHDS if they concentrate on beef and sheepmeat production. In addition, farmers in less favoured areas may be eligible for compensatory allowances on breeding cows and ewes, enhanced rates of capital grant on land improvement and certain other items under both capital grant schemes, and grants on the purchase of forage machinery where they join with other farmers in joint schemes for fodder production. These latter aids are described more fully in a note entitled "Aid for the Hills", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.