§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to pay the hill compensatory allowances for 1983–84 to the hill fanners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe failure of the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 9–10 January to agree to the terms on which the structures directives should be continued has caused a temporary delay in the start of payments of 1984 hill livestock compensatory allowances. I fully appreciate the importance to hill fanners of receiving their allowances at this time of year and we are pressing for urgent resolution of the legal difficulties in Brussels. Meanwhile, claims are being processed and it is our intention to begin payments as soon as the way is clear.