HC Deb 14 May 1996 vol 277 cc426-7W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to review the level of grant and loan available under the crofter building grant and loan scheme; and if he will make it his policy that no major changes to the structure of the scheme will be introduced without full and lengthy public consultation. [28274]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

My noble Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment, had a number of discussions with crofting interests earlier in the year about a possible shift to a grant-only scheme with increased levels of grant. The views expressed were considered carefully and are reflected in the statement made by my right hon. Friend at the Scottish Grand Committee meeting on Monday 13 May.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to provide support to crofters for(a) controlling and maintaining bracken, hedges and dykes and (b) the provision or improvement of water supplies. [28195]

Mr. Robertson

Assistance for crofters is currently available through a number of schemes. The crofting counties agricultural grants scheme provides grants to crofters towards the costs of controlling and maintaining bracken, hedges and dykes, and the provision or improvement of water supplies. The agricultural business improvement scheme offers grants towards the eradication of bracken to encourage heather regeneration; the provision of dykes to exclude livestock in association with conservation management; and the provision, replacement or improvement of water supplies. The Argyll and Shetland islands environment sensitive area schemes include support for provision of dykes: the Argyll islands scheme also includes support for control of bracken in certain situations.

Mrs. Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the budget allocation is planned to be for the crofter building grants and loans scheme in each of the next three years. [28198]

Mr. Robertson

The supply estimate provision for 1996–97 is £5.002 million. Ministers will take decisions on the level of provision for future years in the context of the forthcoming public expenditure survey.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total payments made under the crofting agricultural grants scheme 1995–96; and if he will publish the representations he has received regarding the proposed ending of the scheme. [28275]

Mr. Robertson

The provisional outturn for payments made in 1995–96 under the crofting counties agricultural grants scheme is £3.181 million. Unless specifically requested otherwise by the consultee, responses to the consultation on proposals for a Scottish countryside premium scheme are available for public view in the Library in St. Andrew's house, Edinburgh.