asked the Minister for Agriculture if he considers that two visits to a farm, in connection with land reclamation, is sufficient, particularly, in the light of the fact that up to February 1982 six visits were necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

A minimum of two visits by farm development staff in connection with land reclamation work is required, the first visit to draw up a scheme of work and a final visit to confirm that the work has been completed to specification. In complex cases, more than one visit will be required in preparing a scheme. Further visits may be made at the request of the applicant at appropriate times during the progress of the work to ensure that it is being carried out to specification. It would not be necessary to make six visits in connection with an average scheme of work.

Does the Minister agree that prior to this Government coming into office six visits were necessary, for a very good reason? Does he also agree that it is foolish to suggest that the farm development adviser calls to have a look at the site and then calls out when the work is done and that in the meantime the drain would have been dug, the pipes would have been laid, the gravel would have been laid on top of the pipes and the trench back filled, and does he not think that all of those items of drainage should be seen, each in turn, and that if these are not seen the whole scheme of work, which is grant-aided, would be and could be practically useless?

It depends on where you put responsibility for a scheme. I would hope that there are very few farmers who would want a substandard scheme, irrespective of who was looking at it. Every farmer will know whether the job is being done right, and the Deputy is very well aware of it.

It is important that the land development officer would visit farms in a supervisory capacity. I am surprised at the Minister's answer.

19.