§ Mr. MacDonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of environmentally sensitive area grant budget for 1994–95 is still uncommitted(a) in cash and (b) as a percentage of the budget; and if he will make a statement on underspending in the environmentally sensitive areas budget for 1993–94 and 1994–95.
§ Sir Hector MonroSufficient resources have been made available to enable eligible farmers and crofters in the designated areas to participate in the environmentally sensitive area scheme. Expenditure in 1994–95 is expected to be £1.16 million which represents almost 26 per cent. of the total provision of £4.5 million.
The level of uptake has been lower than anticipated since additional environmentally sensitive areas were designated in 1993 and 1994, but we hope that more farmers and crofters will wish to take advantage of the scheme.