§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the chronology of the change from acres to hectares as it has affected returns and claims required by his Department; and the reasons for the change.
§ Mr. CurryThe Government have been committed to the introduction of metric units for many years and the change from acres to hectares in relation to returns and claims required by this Department is entirely consistent with this policy. The dates when specific changes to hectares were made are as follows:
- Agricultural census and survey forms—1976.
- Hill livestock compensatory allowances—1976.
- Scheme forms and literature for capital grants phasing-in of hectares completed by 1976.
- Sheep annual premium scheme—land information required for first time in 1990 when hectares specified.