§ 4. Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current situation of hill farmers. [41416]
410W
Total local authority expenditure, lottery expenditure and CBDC grant in aid £ million 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Lottery Awards since 1993 Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (Grant in Aid) 45.2 62.3 63.1 60.5 47.9 44.9 — County Councils (pre LGR): Clwyd 26.6 32.0 49.7 — — — — Dyfed 17.5 17.7 19.8 — — — — Gwent 40.7 35.5 39.1 — — — — Gwynedd 14.6 14.5 13.8 — — — — Mid Glamorgan 43.6 55.6 65.9 — — — — Powys 12.2 13.6 13.9 — — — — South Glamorgan 44.5 43.8 33.0 — — — — West Glamorgan 21.8 31.6 46.2 — — — — All counties 221.4 244.1 281.4 — — — —
§ Mr. Ron DaviesFarm incomes fell sharply in 1997. The Government therefore provided £85 million in agrimoney compensation for cattle and sheep producers, and this provides substantial help for hill farmers.
In addition, the Government have provided £35 million to pay for the start up costs and first year running costs for the Cattle Tracing System and a further £35 million to relieve the industry of extra charges related to the new Specified Risk Material (SRM) regulations. These measures represent considerable assistance to the industry. The Government will continue to keep the case for further agrimoney compensation under review.