§ 16. Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he hopes to receive confirmation 320W from the European Economic Community Commission of his proposals to introduce specific financial assistance for marginal land areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerThe special benefits for marginal areas, which were announced on 30 November, cannot be paid until the areas have been formally designated as less favoured. We are continuing to pursue that objective vigorously and will press strongly for agreement at the next Ministerial Council meeting on 6 February.
§ 21. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in respect of the payment of European Economic Community funds to marginal land farmers in Wales.
§ Mrs. FennerWe have received representations both from and on behalf of farmers of marginal land throughout the United Kingdom about the designation of these areas as less favoured. We are very sympathetic to their case. This is why we have pressed our colleagues in the Council of Ministers so strongly and repeatedly for their agreement to the extension of our less favoured areas to include marginal land. We shall continue this pressure at the next Council of Ministers meeting on 6 February.
§ 29. Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now able to predict when agreement will be reached in the Council of Ministers to extend the Community's less favoured areas directive to United Kingdom marginal land.
§ Mrs. FennerAs I said in my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, South-East (Mr. Hicks), we will press strongly for agreement to our less favoured area extension at the next Ministerial Council meeting on 6 February.