§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the adaptation aid to growers of horticultural protected crops announced on 30 April will effect his Department's cash limits for 1981–82; and what financial arrangements are being made.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerSubject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the cash limit for class III Vote 3 will be increased from £78,607,000 to £82,107,000. Although the assistance being provided is estimated to cost up to £5,500,000, it is only necessary to increase the cash limit by £3,500,000, the balance being covered by off-setting savings as explained in my reply of 30 April. This increase of £3,500,000 will be found from the Contingency Reserve and so does not add to planned spending totals.
It is in my view of significant public consequence that growers should receive payment of the aid as soon as possible. If necessary, advances will be made from the Contingencies Fund pending the approval of the Supplementary Estimate. [Vol. 3, c. 460–1.]