HC Deb 19 June 1992 vol 209 cc711-2W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new measures he proposes to assist the upland communities of Wales.

Mr. David Hunt

My Department, together with other organisations, including the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Wales tourist board, provides significant resources for the development of the economic, social and environmental fabric of our upland communities and to secure for them the long-term prosperity which is the common objective of us all. I will continue to review my policies in response to identified demands.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the figures on a county basis in Wales for 1991–92 of(a) the number of serious irregularities of the set-aside scheme, (b) the number of minor breaches of the scheme and (c) the number of cases where payments were withheld in full or in part; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

Information to date for the 1991–92 set-aside year, which ends in September is as follows:

  1. (a) Serious irregularities—nil
  2. (b) Minor breaches—one (in Dyfed)
  3. (c) Payments withheld—no claims have yet been submitted.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount of payments under the set-aside scheme in Wales which have been recovered or withheld in each region in 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

Claims for the 1991–92 set-aside year have not yet been submitted. Recoveries relating to 1990–91 payments amount so far to £1,431.40. The recoveries all arose from the exercise by farmers of the option to change from permanent fallow to another category of set-aside.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers have received payments under the set-aside scheme in 1991 in each county in Wales for(a) horse-based activities, (b) golf courses, (c) game cover for commercial shoots, (d) sports grounds, (e) other recreational facilities and (f) other uses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

The numbers of farmers in Wales who received payments for the set-aside scheme year 1990–91 for non-agricultural use are as follows: