asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will take steps to increase the present grant of ten shillings per perch for mountain fencing, in view of the fact that this grant is only about half the cost of wire and stakes, exclusive of labour, and in view of the necessity to encourage such fencing in order to help eradicate sheep scab and other diseases.

I consider that, for the type of land being dealt with under the Land Project fencing scheme, a maximum grant of 10s. per perch for fencing is realistic and at the same time sufficient to encourage the erection of fences. Our experience is that in most cases the estimated cost of materials in fences erected under the scheme is such that the grant payable is below the maximum rate per perch.