§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the approved six year budget for the agriculture business improvement scheme of 1994; what sums have been made available to the Highland agriculture industry; and what plans he has to vire part of the approved budget to other sectors. [73191]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 25 February 1999]: The Agriculture Business Improvement Scheme (ABIS) forms part of the Objective 1 Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme (HIAP), along with the Marketing Scheme and the Crofting Township Development Scheme. There is no separate budget provision for the ABIS.
The original budget provision for the HIAP was around £23 million, but due to the strength of sterling against the ecu, this figure is now nearer £20 million. To date, almost £14.6 million has been committed under HIAP, and all three Schemes remain open to applications from farmers and crofters in the Highlands and Islands.
As a consequence of consistent underspending against the HIAP budget provision, it is possible that all of the resources allocated to the Programme will not now be required. The Government are reviewing the budgetary provision for HIAP, but no decision has been taken on the possible virement of resources. The Government are planning to announce improvements to the ABIS next month to help stimulate uptake of the available funds.