§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in the light of the letter to the Countryside Commission from the President of the EEC regarding grants for 289W upland farming, he will now adopt a policy of withholding grants for the improvement by ploughing or otherwise of moorland in the Exmoor National Park; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangThe letter from the President of the European Communities to the Countryside Commission regarding grants for upland farming largely reflects the advice officials and my Department received last year from the services of the EEC Commission. It is being taken into account in arriving at the Government's conclusion on Lord Porchester's report, on which a statement will be made shortly.