HC Deb 27 July 2000 vol 354 cc1221-2
1. Mr. David Drew (Stroud)

How much agrimonetary compensation has been provided for arable farmers this year. [131261]

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Nick Brown)

Because this is the last Question Time over which you are expecting to preside, Madam Speaker, may I say on behalf of us all that we will miss you very much indeed?

Before you call me to order, Madam Speaker, I should tell my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) that arable farmers have so far received £170 million in agrimonetary compensation: £18 million last year and £152 million this year, with a further £57 million to be paid later this year. That is in addition to the £1 billion that the sector receives every year in direct aid.

Mr. Drew

I wish to associate myself with my right hon. Friend's remarks about you, Madam Speaker.

I welcome the amount given to farmers to help them in this time of crisis, but would it not be sensible for us to consider the rigidity of the mechanism for automatic payments related to currency? In particular, is it not perverse that better-off farmers seem to receive the lion's share of agrimonetary compensation?

Mr. Brown

It is true that 20 per cent, of farmers receive 80 per cent, of the support payments under the current structure of the common agricultural policy. That is one reason why we press for reform.

Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire)

I know that I speak on behalf of all my colleagues who will be lucky enough to catch your eye during Question Time, Madam Speaker, when I say that no one will miss you more than Conservative Members.

Madam Speaker

I will miss you too.

Mr. Gray

Not if you aim, Madam Speaker.

Does the Minister agree with the Prime Minister, whose well-publicised memo in The Times this morning advised the country that he hopes that we will join the single currency as soon as possible, for political reasons? What benefit would farmers derive from that? At what level does he believe that it would benefit farmers for Britain to join the euro? Does he think that we should join as soon as possible, or when the level is correct?

Mr. Brown

I thank the hon. Gentleman for asking me such easy questions. I readily identify with the tribute that he paid to you, Madam Speaker; and, yes, I agree with the Prime Minister.