§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the reasons for the delay in the payment of hill livestock compensatory allowances for 1985 to the Scottish farming industry.
§ Mr. John MacKayPayment of this year's hill livestock compensatory allowances commenced on 22 February, 12 days later than in 1984.
This year saw the introduction of six new rates of compensatory allowance, two in the new marginal land areas and four in the Highlands and Islands Development Board area. These, together with their associated payment limitations, necessitated considerable administrative changes, including alterations in the computer programs by means of which the payments are calculated and issued.
Despite starting 12 days later than last year, I am pleased to be able to say that, by Tuesday, 26 February, 5,358 payments had been issued compared with 5,636 payments by the end of February last year.