§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the delays in paying out the first advance payment of sheep annual premium to farmers in Northumberland; and if' he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department has met its declared target of making the majority of first advance payments under the sheep annual premium scheme by the early autumn and payment of the second advance is already under way. The position in Northumberland is in line with the rest of the country.