§ Mr. Leighasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce further details of the milk outgoers scheme.
§ Mr. JoplingI have today put in the Vote Office and the Library of the House copies of the Milk Supplementary Levy (Outgoers) Scheme 1984, which provides the basis for the arrangements I announced on 25 May to compensate producers who agree to give up quota and cease milk production. An explanatory leaflet and application form will be sent to all milk producers as soon as the quota regulations on which the scheme depends come into operation.
As announced on 25 May, the Government have agreed to make available a sum not exceeding £50 million for this scheme over the five-year period of 1984–89 to be paid in equal annual instalments. We shall be seeking an early opportunity to bring the necessary legislation before the House. Provision for up to £10 million in the current year will be sought for this new service through winter supplementary estimates on the relevant Agricultural Departments' Votes. The appropriate cash limit changes will be announced in due course. Pending Parliamentary approval of these supplementaries, urgent payments will be met from repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.