Mrs. Winifred Evvingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the full terms of the recent EEC directive affecting crofters and hill farmers; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement on the effect of this directive on an individual Scottish hill farmer.
§ Mr. William RossThe full terms of the directive are too lengthy to be detailed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Copies of the draft instrument and explanatory memorandum were placed in the Library on 2nd April 1973. The text of the directive as agreed by the Council of Ministers in November 1973 has not yet been published, but I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.
The directive will not come into operation until the Council of Ministers has approved the areas in which the aid may be provided and the rate of contribution from Community funds. Decisions have also to be taken about its implementation in the United Kingdom. It would 126W be premature, therefore, to make a statement about its effect on individual farmers.