§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in each region of England in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what is the estimate of the number of hectares of land that will be set aside in each region in 1995–96. [18659]
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe area of land set-aside under the arable area payments scheme in each region in England in 1993–94 is shown in the table below. Equivalent figures for 1994–95 are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are. It is still too early to estimate the number of hectares that have been set aside in 1995–96 as farmers do not have to submit their integrated administration and control system claims until 15 May.
Areas set-aside in 1993–94 (hectares) Number Wessex 32,323 Anglia 131,930 Northern 16,674 North Mercia 21,385 South West 10,092 North East 75,643 East Midlands 96,168 South East 73,183 South Mercia 35,467
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total cost of payments for(a) set-aside and (b) in total under the arable area payments scheme in each region of England in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what is estimate of the total cost of payments in each region of England in 1995–96. [18635]
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe total of payments claimed for set-aside and arable area payments for regions of England for 1993–94 is shown below. The total amount paid will have been slightly lower because of reductions made for various reasons. However, since such reductions have to be calculated on the basis of the total claim, which may include land in more than one region, it is not possible to give the total amounts paid on a regional basis. The equivalent figures for 1994–95 are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are. It is not yet possible to estimate the cost of payments in each region for 1995–96 as integrated administration and control system claims do not have to be submitted by farmers until 15 May.
1113W
Cost of set-aside and arable payments in 1993–94 Set-aside £ Total AAPS £ Wessex 8,625,448 41,258,638 Anglia 35,205,471 175,758,954 Northern 4,450,178 22,587,760 North Mercia 5,706,655 275,179,904 South West 2,693,018 12,115,126 North East 20,185,548 101,011,554 East Midlands 25,662,373 136,205,244 South East 19,528,730 104,344,814 South Mercia 9,464,455 49,928,317
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many claims were made for in England (1) for set-aside and (2) in total under the arable area payments scheme in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95 of(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and £10,000, (c) between £10,001 and £15,000, (d) between £15,001 and £20,000, (e) between £20,001 and £25,000, (f) between £25,001 and £50,000, (g) between £50,001 and £75,000, (h) between £75,001 and £100,000, (i) between £100,001 and £150,000, (j) between £50,001 and £200,000, (k) between £200,001 and £1,000,000 and (l) over £1,000,000; and what is his latest estimate of the number of claims that will be made in 1995–96 in each value band. [18634]
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe number of claims made in England for set-aside and in total under the arable area payments scheme in England in 1993–94 were £26,283 and 45,774 respectively and in 1994–95 were 29,261 and 46,920.
The distribution of payments for 1993–94 is only available in the form set out below. Similar figures for 1994–95 are not yet available as the final oilseed payments for the year are still being made. It is too early to estimate the value of claims for 1995–96 as IACS claims do not have to be submitted by farmers until May 15.
Total payments in England banded by size of payment Size band Number of payments Up to £4,999 21,345 From £5,000 to £9,999 6,577 From £ 10,000 to £24,999 9,712 From £25,000 to £49,999 5,164 From £50,000 to £99,999 2,325 From £100,000 to £249,999 599 From £250,000 to £ 499,999 45 From £500,000 upward 17 Total 45,774 1 It is not possible to identify separately the number of payments above £1,000,000 for reasons of confidentiality.