§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the current policy of the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) on the grant-aiding of new farm buildings in national parks means that if a national park authority grant aids additional costs incurred by a farmer to improve the siting or design of the building, 22¼ per cent. of the national park authority's grant goes to reduce MAFF's expenditure not the farmer's; what duplication, if any, this procedure avoids; and why MAFF should benefit from public funds designed to improve the quality of the landscape in national parks.
Earl FerrersAs I explained in an earlier reply to the noble Lord on 24th July, under the present capital grant schemes grant may be paid on all the capital expenditure which is incurred for an eligible agricultural building, including expenditure to improve its siting or design in order to take account of conservation considerations. However, in cases where, in respect of part of a project, an applicant elects to receive grant from another publicly funded body, grant is allowed only on that part of the expenditure which is not otherwise assisted. This is general practice in order to avoid giving assistance on the same expenditure more than once from public funds.
House adjourned at seventeen minutes past ten o'clock.