§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what legislative authority his Department acted in the past when providing financial assistance to farmers who had suffered losses from flooding; and if he will list the powers he now has in this respect.
§ Mr. StrangThe assistance to farmers following the 1953 flood was given under Section 13 of the Coastal Flooding (Emer794W gency Provisions) Act 1953. This section gave the Minister power to make acreage payments in respect of the rehabilitation of arable or pasture land damaged by salt water. In accordance with the provisions of the Act that power lapsed in 1957. My right hon. Friend the Minister now has no specific authority to provide financial assistance to farmers who suffer losses or damage from flooding. Grants towards the cost of improvement or replacement of farm or horticultural buildings or the improvement of drainage systems are, however, available to all farmers and growers, subject to the conditions of the respective schemes, under the farm capital grant scheme, the horticulture capital grant scheme and the farm and horticulture development scheme.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he can now give a preliminary estimate of the losses sustained by farmers and growers in the flooding of 11th and 12th January in the Faversham constituency.
§ Mr. StrangSome 3,750 acres were affected by flooding in the Faversham constituency. Preliminary estimates of losses to farmers and growers are about 40 tons of hay, nine tons of fertiliser, 100 tons of potatoes, 1¾ miles of fencing and over 700 sheep. In addition, there has been some damage to buildings and drainage systems. It is not yet possible to give an estimate of damage to growing crops.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now give a preliminary estimate of the total losses suffered by agricultural and horticultural interests in the flooding on 11th and 12th January, giving the total acreage affected and the total of livestock lost; and if he will now make a statement about government assistance to those farmers and growers affected.
§ Mr. StrangReports from my Department's regional offices indicate that about 9,000 acres of agricultural land were flooded on 11 th–12th January including about 1,800 acres of cereals and horticultural crops. About 1,200 sheep were reported drowned. It is not yet possible to assess the total damage to the land or the growing crops
795WMy right hon. Friend the Minister has already announced that the Department's advisory staff are in contact with farmers in the affected areas and that soil samples are being taken free of charge to enable the advisers to assess the extent of contamination and advise on corrective treatment. Grant aid is also available for the restoration or replacement of damaged buildings or drainage systems. Consideration is being given to the possibility of further assistance.