§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline what measures the Government have undertaken over the past two years to help upland farmers in Scotland, particularly hill sheep farmers; and whether the measures have been succesful.
§ Mr. YoungerHill and upland farmers have benefited from very large increases in hill livestock compensatory allowances in that period. The subsidy on a hill cow, inclusive of the European Community Buckler cow premium, has gone up by 89 per cent. to £54.87; the hill and upland sheep subsidies have been increased by 52 and 153W 49 per cent. to £6.25 and £4.25, respectively. Hill and upland sheep .Earmers will obtain substantial benefits from the European Community sheepmeat regime which provides for greatly increased guaranteed prices to fatteners and an annual premium to breeders. There are clear signs of growing confidence in this sector.