§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the names of all grant254W schemes available to farmers for planting hedgerows, giving their date of introduction, when they ceased; and whether they are still available, since 1959;
(2) if he will list the names of all grant schemes available to farmers for renewing hedgerows, giving their date of introduction, when they ceased, and whether they are still available, since 1959.
§ Mr. RyderGrant was available under the following schemes for the provision, replacement or improvement of hedges:
Name of Scheme Dale Introduced Date Closed to Applications Farm improvement scheme 1 September 1957 31 December 1970 Horticulture improvement scheme 14 April 1960 31 December 1973 Hill land improvement scheme 14 August 1967 31 December 1970 Farm capital grant scheme 1 January 1971 30 September 1980 Horticulture capital grant scheme 1 January 1974 30 September 1980 Farm and horticulture development scheme 1 January 1974 30 September 1980 Agriculture and horticulture development scheme 1 October 1980 30 September 1985 Agriculture and horticulture grant scheme 1 October 1980 9 July 1985 Agriculture improvement regulations 1 October 1985 28 November 1988 Agriculture improvement scheme 1 October 1985 29 November 1988 The closing dates quoted are those for the receipt of new applications. Expenditure incurred before the closing date could be claimed subsequently and where the applicant held an approved plan of investments, the expenditure too could be incurred after the closing date. Claims are still being accepted from holders of approved plans under the agriculture and horticulture development scheme and the Agriculture Improvement Regulations.
Grants of 50 per cent. in the less favoured areas and 40 per cent. elsewhere for the provision, replacement or improvement of hedges are currently available under the farm and conservation grant scheme which was introduced on 20 February 1989.