§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will bring forward proposals to provide special support for farmers of severely disadvantaged mountain areas, where standards of living will drop unless special aid is forthcoming.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe Government are fully committed to helping farmers in the less-favoured areas. Since we came to office we have signicantly increased the rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances, which will result in a total payment this year of some £20 million to farmers in the less-favoured areas in Wales. The higher rates of capital grants available in hill areas have also been maintained. I have no proposals for providing additional support.