Rural Payments Agency

HC Deb 05 February 2002 vol 379 cc899-900W

Mr. Breed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many working days were lost within the Rural Payments Agency between 16 November 2001 and 31 January 2002 as a result of industrial action. [31973]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 1 February 2002]: The number of working days lost within the Rural Payments Agency between 16 November 2001 and 31 January 2002 as a result of industrial action was 3,704.

Mr. Breed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) total and (b) percentage were of arable payments made by the Rural Payments Agency to arable farmers in the 16 November 2001 to 31 January 2002 window. [31972]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 1 February 2002]: The number of arable payments made by the Rural Payments Agency to arable farmers nationally in the 16 November 2001 to 31 January 2002 window was 39,697 paid, out of a total 42,738 received, representing 92.88 per cent.