To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to increase rural diversification grants.

Under the new Scotland Rural Development Programme, there will be no upper limit (as there was previously) to the funding potentially available for good quality diversification proposals. Funding of up to 50% of project costs, depending on the geographical area, the type of project involved and the needs of the project will be available. There will also be a 10% uplift in the maximum funding available to young farmers for restructuring projects that involve diversification.