§ Mr. Nicholsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated value to Northern Ireland farmers in real terms in the next financial year of the extension of the less favoured area scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerDetails of capital grant rates and of the arrangements for determining hill land compensatory allowance rates in the new less favoured areas were announced in a reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 2 May 1984 at columns142–43.
An estimate of the value in the next financial year to Northern Ireland farmers of these measures is not available. This will largely depend on the level of capital investment by farmers and on HLCA rates which will not be determined until next autumn.