Horticulture

Mr. Skeet
asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase grant aid to the glasshouse sector of the horticulture industry to promote conversion to less expensive fuels.

Mr. Wiggin
No. Where such conversions are feasible and commercially advantageous, the grants already available should be sufficient additional incentive.

Mr. Skeet
asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he  will consider increasing the aid available under the horticulture capital grant scheme and the farm and horticulture development scheme to 30 per cent. of the total expenditure for thermal screens.

Mr. wiggin
There is no intention at the moment to increase the grants for this purpose but the energy implications for agriculture and horticulture are being kept under review.