§ Mr. Livseyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the remaining 25 per cent. of the payment for hill land compensatory allowances will be paid to farmers.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1986, c. 72]: All claimants for /nil livestock compensatory allowances in Great Britain received 75 per cent. of the sum claimed shortly after submitting their applications. These advances were made on the basis of an initial check, and enabled nearly 60 per cent. more farmers to receive significant sums in the early months of the year than was the case in 1985. The Agricultural Departments' local offices then had to carry out the normal detailed checks before authorising payment of the balance. However, over three quarters of farmers have already received the outstanding 25 per cent. and the rest will be paid as soon as possible. This seems a proper balance between helping farmers in an emergency and protecting the taxpayer from improper payments.