§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if, in view of the substantial increase in farmers' borrowings in 1983 and the financial position of many farmers, he will take steps to ensure that the hill and upland compensatory allowances are paid without further delay;
(2) if, in view of the failure by the Council of Ministers in Brussels to agree the payments for the hill cow, hill ewe and upland ewe compensatory allowances, he will now take steps to make payment to the farmers of that portion of the compensatory allowance which is funded by the Government pending agreement at any future meeting in Brussels.
§ Mr. MacGregorI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.