§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the total values of payments made to farmers in Scotland for the beef premium in the period from May 1979 to May 1989; and how much of this was funded from the European Community and how much from the central Government.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe total payments made to farmers in Scotland for the beef variable premium from January 1979 to 2 April 1989 inclusive amount to £157.7 million. Of this total, £63.1 million was funded by the European Community and £94.6 million by the Government. This scheme was replaced by the beef special premium scheme on 3 April 1989, which is entirely funded by the Community. Payments under this scheme have just commenced.