HC Deb 19 February 1987 vol 110 cc778-9W
12. Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to introduce a new regime to assist Highland farmers in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom to develop alternative land use.

Mr. Gummer

In his statement to the House last week my right hon. Friend announced an imaginative package on alternative land use which will assist farmers in the Highlands and elsewhere. This includes a new farm woodlands scheme, some expansion of the forestry programme, further environmentally sensitive areas, aid for diversification on farms, including marketing, and more emphasis on novel crops and livestock in our research and development and advisory programmes.

19. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to announce his proposals on alternative land uses.

28. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage diversification in the use of land.

43. Mr. Cash

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has any plans to extend the scope of the agricultural improvement scheme to offer grants for purposes ancillary to agriculture.

46. Mr. Lord

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to announce his plans on farm forestry.

58. Mr. Gale

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to announce his plans on alternative land use and the rural economy.

Mr. Gummer

I refer my hon. Friends to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister on 9 February and to the written reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) on the same day at columns70–2.