HC Deb 16 December 1992 vol 216 cc308-9W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total cost of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments in Wales in the last financial year; what is his estimate for the current financial year; and what financial provision he has made for the forthcoming financial year.

Mr. David Hunt

The information is as follows:

£ million
1991–92 42.130
1992–93 134.0
1993–94 132.380
1 estimate

Notes

1. Expenditure in 1991–92 was higher than normal because of a larger than usual carry over of claims from the previous year.

2. The 1992–93 forecast takes into account the changes in the 1993 HLCA payment rates announced on 10 December as far as the Department is able. Actual 1992–93 expenditure will be published in the 1992 Appropriation Accounts.

3. The 1993–94 provision will be published in the 1993–94 Main Supply Estimate Class XV, Vote 1. The actual amounts paid in 1993–94 will depend on the HLCA payment rates that will apply in that year. The HLCA payment rates and other scheme arrangements to apply from 1 January 1994 will be considered in the context of the 1993 autumn review of the economic conditions and prospects for LFA farmers.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the new rates of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments which will apply in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 10 December 1992,Official Report, column 757, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of farm stock in Wales which qualify for hill livestock compensatory allowance payments in development areas and special development areas.

Mr. David Hunt

The total numbers of animals which attracted hill livestock compensatory allowance in 1991 were as follows:

Cows Sheep
Less favoured area (severely disadvantaged) 126,344 3,372,804
Less favoured area (disadvantaged) 43,902 764,156

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to maintain the real value of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments in development areas and special development areas in Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

HLCA payment rates and other scheme arrangements are determined following the annual autumn review of the economic conditions and prospects for farmers in the less favoured areas. The outcome of this year's review and the HLCA payment rates to apply from I Janaury 1993 were announced on 10 December 1992.

Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for the last financial year(a) the total amount of hill livestock compensatory allowance payments, (b) the total number of claimants and (c) the proportion of these payments which were paid to farmers farming land with the status of special development area.

Mr. David Hunt

The information is as follows:

1991–92

  1. (a) £42.130 million
  2. (b) 16,254
  3. (c) 92 per cent.