§ Mr. Tom KingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate has been made by his Department of the likely value of the hill farm allowance scheme for the South West Region on his present proposals; and how much he estimates the hill livestock compensatory allowances will be in the current year. [98604]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 22 November 1999]: HLCA payments in MAFF's South West Region (Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) in the current year (1999) will total around £6.27 million, over 14 per cent. of the total for England. These figures include a proportionate share of the extra £60 million (approximately £15.27 million in England), which we have announced will also be available in the year 2000. The proposals for Hill Farm 119W Allowances which we published on 3 December will help maintain upland rural communities and preserve upland environments through sustainable beef and sheep production. There will be some impact on the amounts individual farmers receive, but the proposals have been designed to allow farmers time to adapt. We have made no estimate of any regional differences in the impact of the proposals.