HL Deb 11 February 1993 vol 542 cc52-3WA
Lord Walpole

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Commitment to Service", what percentage of payments by MAFF were made by the due date, in total and by region, in the last year for which figures are available, and how many were not.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)

Prior to publication of "Commitment to Service", our objective was to deal with every application as quickly as possible, subject to the over-riding requirement to ensure that all claims were properly checked. In the absence of firm target dates for individual claims, the details requested are not available for 1992 or earlier years. We shall, however, be monitoring performance against the new "Commitment to Service" targets.

Lord Walpole

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the forms concerning the 15 per cent. set-aside scheme for arable land have yet gone out to farmers, and whether they are confident that MAFF will be able to make these payments by the due date.

Earl Howe

Claim forms for the arable area payments scheme, including set-aside payments, need to take account of the detailed requirements of the Integrated Administration and Control System which was adopted by the Agriculture Council last November. The forms will be issued as soon as possible.

The administrative arrangements for making this year's area and set-aside payments are proceeding on schedule.