HC Deb 18 June 1981 vol 6 cc413-4W
Mr. Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales approximately how many acres of disadvantaged land in Wales, if any, have been provisionally designated for marginal land aid by his agricultural department; whether the existing proposals are to be subjected to further scrutiny and possible amendment; and when the policy of financial aid in this sector of Welsh agriculture will be implemented.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The land survey of mainland Wales outside the existing less-favoured areas has shown that approximately 280,000 hectares meet the poor land criterion. To this area it is now necessary to apply the economic and demographic criteria required by the EEC directive before the final area can be determined. No undertaking has been given by the Government either that the present less-favoured areas will be extended or that extra public funds will be available. Any case for extending the less-favoured areas for the United Kingdom as a whole could be ready for submission to the European Commission by the end of 1981.