THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government for how many ewes hill sheep subsidy was paid in 1964, 1968, and 1969 in England, Scotland and Wales.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the number of ewes qualifying for the hill sheep subsidy in 1964 in England was 1.1 million, in Scotland 2.4 million and in Wales 1.4 million, a total of 4.9 million. For 1968 hill sheep subsidy was paid to 7.1 million in England, 3.0 million in Scotland and 2.2 million in Wales, totalling 6.9 million, an overall increase of 915 40 per cent. over 1964. No figures are yet available for 1969, as the qualifying day falls in December. I should add that at the 1967 Annual Review the subsidy was extended to cover a wider area, and the number of ewes in consequence increased.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that reply. Perhaps he will let me know when the figures for this year are available, and I can put down another Question on the subject.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the noble Duke need not put a Question down, for I will let him have the figures.