Hill Cattle (Subsidies)

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 July 1964.

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Photo of Mr George Lawson Mr George Lawson , Motherwell 12:00, 22 July 1964

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount of the subsidy paid per cow under the Hill Cow Subsidy Scheme and what is the amount paid per calf, respectively.

Photo of Mr James Stodart Mr James Stodart , Edinburgh West

The rate of subsidy payable under the Hill Cattle Subsidy Payment (Scotland) Order, 1964, is £12 per cow. The rates of subsidy payable under the Calf Subsidy (Scotland) (Amendment) Scheme, 1964, are £7 10s. for a heifer calf and £9 15s. for a steer calf born after 1st January, 1964, or £9 5s. for a steer calf born before that date.

Photo of Mr George Lawson Mr George Lawson , Motherwell

Since this works out at about £20 for the cow and the calf, will the hon. Gentleman draw the matter to the attention of the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, as the maternity grant for a human child is only £16? Does not this rather suggest that the farmer and the farmer's calf are valued much more highly than babies?

Photo of Mr James Stodart Mr James Stodart , Edinburgh West

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the conditions of childbirth on the Scottish mountain sides are a great deal more uncomfortable, I think, than in many other instances.