§ 56. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number and total value of grants made each year under the farm grant schemes 1970 and 1973 over the period 1970 to 1980; of those grants what was the number and total value, each year, relating to existing buildings; and whether he has a policy 68W under the Agriculture and Horticulture Grant Scheme 1980 for encouraging farmers to repair and retain existing buildings in productive use.
§ Mr. WigginThe farm capital grant schemes of 1970 and 1973 made provision for grant aid on approved expenditure on a wide range of items, including the improvement, alteration or reconditioning of permanent agricultural buildings. The agriculture and horticulture grant scheme 1980 includes a similar provision.
It is for individual farmers to decide whether to renovate or to adapt an existing building or to erect a new one. Provided the expenditure is of a capital nature and is in connection with an agricultural business it may qualify for grant. However, expenditure on the maintenance of buildings is ineligible for grant. I regret that we do not record either the number of items grant aided or whether grant was paid on existing or new buildings.
Details of the amount of grant paid and that paid on buildings in the United Kingdom are as follows:
1970 Farm capital grant scheme not in operation. Commenced 1 January 1971 Year Total grant paid £m Grant paid buildings £m 1971 9.4 4.8 1972 40.8 23.7 1973 67.6 40.8 1974 70.0 43.9 1975 71.4 38.4 1976 63.8 25.5 1977 57.5 26.3 1978 67.1 26.3 1979 70.1 27.8 1980 (9 months to 30 September 1980 78.8 30.8