§ 1. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many farms in Wales, currently receiving hill farm subsidies or grants, will be ineligible for EEC grants and subsidies under the less favoured areas directive.
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. John Morris)About 500, the great majority of whom are part-time farmers occupying less than three hectares of eligible land.
§ Mr. HowellsI am grateful to the Minister for that reply, but I know that he is aware of a speech made by the Prime Minister at Stoneleigh this year when he referred to the White Paper entitled "Food from our own resources", and if we are to fulfil that plan—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member must ask a question.
§ Mr. HowellsThank you, Mr. Speaker. Would not the Minister agree that under the common agricultural policy the Government are entitled to pay a maximum of £4.05 for every hill ewe kept in this country? Present Government proposals are to pay £3.60. Why is there this discrepancy in payments to the hill farmers?
§ Mr. MorrisThe hon. Gentleman knows that we announced the present payments in the course of the last review. My recollection is that the hon. Gentleman welcomed the satisfactory announcement made by my right hon. Friend. Clearly, we must look at the situation year by year.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman take advantage of the current review of grants and subsidies to look at the location test, which is a problem for many farmers who do not qualify for the hill cow and sheep subsidies although the quality of their land is inferior?
§ Mr. MorrisIt is a perennial problem as to whether a particular piece of land falls within or without the designated areas. Some obviously lose when the whole issue is re-examined. I recollect that last year there was an appeal from a constituent of the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Hooson). My right hon. Friend and I found in favour of the tenant on that issue. The matter is re-examined from time to time, but, of course, not always to the advantage of those who now obtain subsidies.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWith regard to the farms left out of the less favoured areas, will the Secretary of State repeat the assurance given by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to a Statutory Instruments Committee that he is open to representation from these farmers about their exclusion?
§ Mr. MorrisI have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend told the Committee. The hon. Gentleman knows that appeals are made from time to time and are considered by my right hon. Friend and myself. I indicated that by my reference to the appeal last year by a constituent of the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery, when we found in favour of the appellant.