§ 13. Mr. James Plaskitt (Warwick and Leamington)If she will make a statement on the operation of the Rural Payments Agency. [86778]
§ The Minister for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael)The annual report of the Rural Payments Agency published in October 2002 presents an unqualified set of accounts and the achievement of 16 out of 18 key performance targets. It is also worth noting that the agency has recently achieved the quickest ever start to the payment of the arable area payment scheme claims in England. Some 86 per cent. of claims were made within two weeks of the start of the payment window, amounting to £681 million paid to farmers.
§ Mr. PlaskittFarmers in Warwickshire are reporting to me that payments are coming through much more 1004 quickly, for which they are grateful. Can we go further and consider greater co-ordination between different databases in the Department, perhaps even merging some of them so that we can facilitate more filing by e-systems and less by paper?
§ Alun MichaelMy hon. Friend is quite right, and a great deal of work is going on towards that end. The support for electronic submission of 2003 IACS—integrated administration and control system—claim forms has been enhanced, and applicants will be able to work of line before submitting their claims. I have no doubt that that will help to improve matters.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Ian Liddell-Grainger. Not here.
§ Alun MichaelIt is obvious that some people have left for Christmas early this year.