§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the reason for the forecast increase in the sheep annual premium in the current financial year, as stated in the reply of 9 February, Official Report, at column 710; and if he will estimate the proportions of the sheep and suckling cow premiums that go to hill farmers, together with his estimate of the number of hill farmers.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe forecast of expenditure on sheep annual premium in the current financial year is made up of the final payment of premium for the 1982–83 marketing year—£1.33 per ewe in Great Britain and £5.38 in Northern Ireland—and the advance for 1983–84 — £3 per ewe in Great Britain and £6 in Northern Ireland. Expenditure in the preceding financial year was made up of the advance payment for the 1982–83 marketing year—£1.40 per ewe in Great Britain and £4.20 in Northern Ireland. Approximately 65 per cent. of suckler cow premiums and 60 per cent. of sheep annual premiums go to hill farmers; the total number of holdings involved is estimated at just over 51,000.