§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the number of live lambs(a) exported from and (b) imported into Northern Ireland, indicating their (i) destination and (ii) origin and the number to and from each country for each of the last two years and the current year to the latest available date. [19325]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe information requested is set out in the following tables. The figures include all sheep as the records do not show lambs separately.
Exports from Northern Ireland Year Destination Great Britain Netherlands Belgium Italy Total 1995 109,341 3 364 0 109,708 1996 83,425 3 25 12 83,465 1997(to w/e 22 November) 89,405 0 5 0 89,410
§ Mr. DewarAs the hon. Member is aware, we have been working with Skye Bridge Ltd. to implement the significant package of toll reductions that I announced on 4 July. I am pleased to advise that the toll reductions will come into force on 1 January 1998. The revised Toll Order will be laid today. We are simultaneously laying Regulations that set the amounts Skye Bridge Ltd. will be able to charge should they have to remove vehicles from the crossing in the event of non-payment of tolls.
The hon. Member has previously recognised that the situation at Skye Bridge is not of our making. I trust he also appreciates that we have met out commitment to provide a fairer tolling regime for the people of the Highlands within current constraints.
I shall write shortly to the hon. Member about the Assignation Statement and the other points raised in his recent letter of 27 November. A copy of my reply will be placed in the Library of the House.