§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the purpose of compensatory allowances paid to hill farmers for sheep and cattle;
(2) if he will estimate the effect of abolishing compensatory allowances paid to hill farmers for sheep and cattle.
§ Mr. MacGregorThese allowances are paid in accordance with the European Community Directive on Less Favoured Areas to help ensure the continuation of farming in those areas. Their abolition would substantially reduce net income on hill livestock farms.