§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for grant aid in respect of disposal of farm effluents were received from 4 November 1987 until closure of applications; how many applications were accepted and how many refused; and what are the sums involved in respect of applications accepted and acknowledged.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 3 February 1988]: In the period 4 November 1987 to 31 December 1987 the Department of Agriculture received 2,934 prior notifications from farmers intending to undertake the provision of farm effluent disposal facilities. All prior notifications continue to be acknowledged. No prior notifications have been refused by the Department.
It will not be possible to indicate the amount of money involved until claims in respect of completed work have been received by the Department.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will reintroduce grants for the provision of effluent disposal on farms in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 3 February 1988]: My noble Friend Lord Lyell announced on 31 December 1987
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Punishment attacks1 Year Loyalist Republican Total 1975 50 139 189 1976 36 62 98 1977 28 98 126 1978 17 50 67 1979 25 51 76 1980 26 51 77 1981 14 66 80 1982 25 64 89 1983 10 24 34 1984 7 63 70 1985 15 47 62 1986 36 46 82 1987 94 90 184 1 Paramilitary organisations believed to be responsible. Details of the areas where these attacks took place are not readily available for earlier years but, since 1983, the following information is available:
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Greater Belfast 24 53 49 66 158 Other areas 10 17 13 16 26 Details of the nature of these attacks, broken down between punishment shootings and punishment assaults, are available from 1982 and are as follows:
that a decision about the future of the agriculture improvement scheme (national scheme) would be made as soon as possible after 29 February 1988. This remains the position.
Grants for effluent disposal facilities continue to be available to farmers who include such works in farm improvement plans submitted under the agriculture improvement scheme which is reimbursable by FEOGA.