§ Mr. Biffenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money has been received from the farming community as its contribution to the fund organised by his Department and equally financed by the Government designed to offer additional compensation to early victims of the foot-and-mouth epidemic; what amount of money has been returned to donors as ineligible for
230Wthe farmers' contribution; and what have been the reasons for the refusal of such contributions.
§ Mr. Cledwyn HughesI have received £88,000 from the National Farmers Union, which organised this appeal. Of this, £80,000 together with a matching £80,000 from the Government was distributed to the farmers concerned on 17th January. I understand that the union's appeal has realised another £10,000. A further £36,000 (including the Government's contribution) should, therefore, shortly be available for distribution, making just under £200,000 in all. In addition, the union recently informed the Ministry that it had received a cheque for about £150,000 apparently subscribed by the farmers on whose behalf the scheme was devised; and that the organisers had stipulated that it should be used only if the Government matched it with an equal amount. This would bring the total sum for distribution up to the £500,000 target. I understand that, in view of the questions that have been raised by my Department, the union has returned the cheque to the organisers. The President of the National Farmers Union has now discussed this with me and I have asked for further information.