§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether grant aid is available under the farm and conservation grant scheme to cover the costs incurred as a result of reinforcement of the electricity supply due to the installation of new pollution control equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe provision or upgrading of electricity supply as such is not eligible for grant under the farm and conservation grant scheme, as the hon. Member will know from the reply to a similar question put by him to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 3 December.
There was, however, one exceptional instance some 12 months ago when the Scottish Office allowed grant on the installation of a discrete three-phase electricity supply to power farm waste handling equipment. In that case the provision of a new supply was cheaper and more efficient than the conversion of individual pumps (which are themselves eligible for grant), to run on the existing supply.