§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is yet in a position, following his recent meeting with unions representing farmers in the affected areas, to put forward proposals for compensation for those subject to the current ban on lamb sales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIt is still too early to assess the impact on producers of the controls in the designated areas. I shall make a further statement as soon as I can.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he can yet remove further areas of Anglesey from the current ban on lamb sales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI cannot at present add to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 10 July as regards restrictions on the movement and slaughter of sheep in612W (x) the median, (y) the upper quartile and (z) the highest decile for April 1979 under the June 1979 tax/benefit regime and April 1985.
§ Mr. Lawson[pursuant to his reply, 8 July 1986, c. 124–25]: Information in the following table is based on estimates of male earnings for those in full time work paid at adult rates, with pay unaffected by absence. Estimates are based on information from the annual New Earnings Survey.
The calculations take no account of income-related benefits to which those at the lowest decile and quartile may be entitled. Taxpayers are assumed to have no reliefs or allowances other than the appropriate personal allowance.
Anglesey. However, continued testing has identified other areas where restrictions can now be lifted. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I have therefore today laid an order under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to come into effect at midnight to release a coastal strip between Bangor and Caernarfon in Gwynedd and parts of central Clwyd.
A map showing in more detail the areas to be released and the results of tests made up to 14 July are being published today and a copy is being placed in the Library of the House. The test programme is continuing.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales if the monitoring of radio caesium levels in lambs on Anglesey and in north west Wales have indicated a trend of dissipation of radio caesium sufficient to enable him to project when the ban on sales will be lifted; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIntensive monitoring has enabled a number of areas to be freed from restrictions on 613W the movement and slaughter of lambs. Testing is continuing in order to derestrict further areas as quickly as possible and an announcement is being made today. It is not yet possible to estimate when all restrictions may be lifted.