§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheep quota applications his Department administered during 1993 to the nearest convenient estimate; and how many civil servants are allocated to this task.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 10 December I993]: The Scottish Office agriculture and fisheries department has allocated sheep quota to 22,300 individual producers during 1993 and processed 1,700 applications to transfer and lease quota for the 1993 sheep annual premium scheme year. The number of staff working on these tasks has varied according to the timing of the application processes and the volume of inquiries received from producers or others on their behalf.
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§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from(a) farmers, (b solicitors and (c) hon. Members concerning complaints in the administration of the sheep quota system.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 10 December 1993]: The Scottish Office agriculture and fisheries department receives several hundred inquiries from producers or their agents each week concerning various aspects of the sheep quota system. Very few have lodged a complaint against the administration of the quota system although some may have experienced difficulties contacting departmental staff by telephone during certain peak periods. I have received letters from 14 hon. Members concerning sheep quotas, three of which have referred to complaints about administration.