§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which member States of the European Economic Community have applied for and received special aid for losses of farm livestock and losses occasioned by the dumping of farm produce which came about because of the severe weather conditions during the present winter; how much each State received; how the sums were spent; and what were the conditions under which the special aid was given.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe European Commission granted 1.25 million ECUs to the United Kingdom as emergency aid for those who suffered from the severe weather in December and January. At the same time it granted 1-25 million ECUs to France, 1-0 million ECUs to the Irish Republic and 150,000 ECUs to Germany.
This aid is not confined to agriculture and its allocation amongst those who suffered is a matter for the Governments concerned to decide in consultation with the Commission. We do not know precisely what arrangements other countries have made. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Devon, North (Mr. Speller) for details of how this aid will be allocated within the United Kingdom. I will be making a further announcement about the way in which the money allocated to agriculture will be divided amongst farmers in the areas specified by the Commission when my colleagues and I have concluded discussions with the farmers' organisations.