§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the measures the Government have introduced specifically to help marginal farmers.
§ Mr. WigginThis Government have provided substantial increases in the hill livestock compensatory allowances which are paid to farmers in marginal areas designated under the Community's less favoured areas directive (75/268/EEC). The rate of capital grant for sheep housing has been increased to eliminate previous discrimination. The increases we have made in our national guaranteed prices for fat sheep and wool also offer help particularly to marginal land farmers.
As regards marginal land outside the hill line, I announced on 15 March in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Sir W. Elliott) that work on the survey is going ahead as speedily as possible.