§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the reason for the decision to delay the payment of the suckler cow premiums; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythPayments to 3,600 applicants amounting to almost £5 million are being issued today. We expect to make a further 2,000 payments valued at over £3 million later this week.
This year the closing date for receipt of applications was put back from 30 November to 31 January. Applications are still being received by the Department and will continue to be processed as quickly as possible.