HC Deb 20 January 1983 vol 35 cc469-70
8. Sir Hector Monro

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the newly designated marginal land areas will be likely to be fully integrated into the less favoured areas schemes for the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Fenner

The European Council of Ministers has yet to consider the United Kingdom's proposals for extending our less favoured areas which, as my right hon. Friend told the House last month, were formally submitted to the European Commission on 13 December. It is too early to say when the Council of Ministers will consider our case or what the outcome will be.

Sir Hector Monro

Will my hon. Friend accept that the Government's policies for the less favoured areas have been of enormous assistance to livestock farming? How soon will the maps be available so that farmers can begin to plan for the future?

Mrs. Fenner

I welcome the comments of my hon. Friend in the first part of his supplementary question. Small-scale maps showing the approximate area of marginal land were made available last September, when the discussions opened in Brussels. Maps on the scale of about one inch to the mile are now available for inspection by directly interested parties at selected offices throughout the country.

Mr. Geraint Howells

Will the Minister give an assurance that the Government are committed to giving financial aid to those farmers included in the new marginal scheme now before the EC?

Mrs. Fenner

It was important for us to present the programme and the principle. I have repeated at the Dispatch Box that there is no Government commitment to finding new funds, but, naturally, it was important to investigate the possibility and place the proposals before the Community.

Mr. Strang

Surely the Minister must recognise that it is a waste of time if the Government will not provide additional money. Is the hon. Lady aware that her noble Friend, the Minister of State in another place, told a deputation this week that the Council of Ministers would not consider the matter until the summer? Will she ensure that there is a decision within the next two months?

Mrs. Fenner

I can only repeat what I have already said. I cannot say exactly when the Commission will place our case before the Council of Ministers or, indeed, when it will consider it.