§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will restore lowland drainage grant rates to their previous levels in real terms, and exempt all drainage schemes from the ceiling on investment eligible for grant aid.
§ Mr. WigginI do not think either course would make the best use of available resources. The present lowland drainage rate under the agriculture and horticulture grant scheme is already 66 per cent. higher than the standard rate for buildings and other works. Restoring it to its previous level whilst retaining present rates for other items would increase the differential to 122 per cent. Exempting drainage from the limit on grant aidable investment would place it in an even more favoured category than it enjoys at present and, although I recognise its great importance, I do not think this would be warranted.