asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the fall off in demand for the ACOT advisory services; if he will accept that the recent imposition of charges in relation to visits in connection with the farm modernisation scheme was the cause of this fall off; and if he will now clear up the matter in the interest of agriculture.

It is to be expected that the suspension of grant aid for farm buildings and fixed assets would lead to some reduction in requests for visits by ACOT staff in connection with the farm modernisation scheme. I am satisfied, however, as a result of consultations with ACOT that there has been no fall off in demand for normal advisory visits.

The charge of £20 per visit applies only to farm visits by ACOT and farm development service staff in connection with the farm modernisation scheme. It does not apply to normal advisory visits by ACOT staff.