§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has recently considered how farmers, who were living close to the frontier with the Irish Republic and were forced by Irish Republican Army 182W activity to abandon their holdings in the mid-1970s, can now be compensated for loss of earnings in the same way as other businesses were at that time.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 28 January 1985, c. 70]: No. Compensation for loss of earnings is payable only to employees.
§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to assist farmers, who were displaced by Irish Republican Army activity from their holdings close to the frontier with the Irish Republic, to return to their properties; and whether he believes their safety can now reasonably be assured.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 28 January 1985, c. 70]: Displaced farmers wishing to reinstate their holdings would be eligible for specialist advice from the Department of Agriculture and priority could be given to applications for farm grants and subsidies. The security forces try to assist everyone at risk; if any farmer has a particular concern about his personal safety the Royal Ulster Constabulary would be glad to advise him.