§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now announce the detailed arrangements for the payment of enhanced rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances in the Highlands and Islands Development Board area.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe enhanced rates will be introduced with effect from 1 January 1985. My right hon. Friend has decided to grade the enhanced rates on eligible hill cows, but not on sheep, in accordance with the farm-by-farm grading system in the former Scottish winter keep scheme. My right hon. Friend has made an administrative scheme under the powers contained in section 4 of the Congested Districts Act 1897 which, subject to clearance by the European Commission, will result in the payment of the following rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances on eligible hill cows and on specially qualified hill sheep within the Highlands and Islands Development Board area:— 457W
£ per cow £ per specially qualified sheep Class A holdings 47.00 6.80 Class B holdings 54.00 6.80 Class C holdings 57.50 6.80 Those who are within the small part of the Highlands and Islands Development Board area outwith the congested districts will be paid by means of an arrangement with the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
The Scottish islands special grant scheme, which terminates on 31 December 1984, will not be renewed, but farmers and crofters in the islands, where there is generally a high proportion of C grade holdings, will benefit particularly from the enhanced rate which the C grade holdings will attract.