asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total sum of money paid out from Government funds for each of the past five years for which figures are available for the purpose of removng hedges on farms.

Grant paid on the removal of hedges on farms in the last five financial years was as follows:

	£'000
1970–71	95
1971–72	132
1972–73	237
1973–74	288
1974–75	144
Total	896

These figures include the grant paid on the removal of hedges where this operation formed an essential part of a field drainage scheme.In addition grants were payable under the Hortculture Improvement Scheme for which details in the form requested are not avalable. On the basis of the value of approved proposals, it is estimated that about £11,000 was paid over the period 1970–71 to 1974–75.