asked the Minister for Health why, in cases where a farm is jointly owned by two full-time farmers and the valuation is over £60 but less than £120, the owners must prove, unlike other farmers, that their income is less than £1,600 to qualify under the health contributions scheme; and if he considers this practice to be a discouragement to joint-ownership.

I am not aware that the existing provisions for deciding limited eligibility for health services serve materially to discourage joint-ownership of farms. Nevertheless, whenever consideration is being given to a review of these provisions, I shall bear the Deputy's contention in mind and examine it further.