§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the number of farmworkers whose employment will be affected by participation by their employers or others in the set-aside scheme; and if he will take any action either to compensate those workers or to provide additional employment in the areas concerned.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe possible effect of set-aside on farm and rural employment is one of the aspects of the scheme we shall be evaluating in its first years. Initial indications, on the basis of the average area of land proposed for set-aside by those who have applied this year (36 hectares) in comparison with the average holding size involved (140 hectares), are that the number of workers affected should be very small. There is no provision for special compensation. The Government already provide substantial assistance, through various programmes and agencies, aimed at improving employment opportunities in rural areas.