§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now take immediate and urgent steps to reverse the cuts in hill livestock compensatory allowance payments and restore these to their original value.
§ Mr. RedwoodNo.
§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the reduction in farm incomes in Wales resulting from the recent reductions in hill livestock compensatory allowance payments; and what is his estimate of the maximum likely loss of income to any individual farming unit.
§ Mr. RedwoodBased on expected eligible livestock numbers it is estimated that total payments of hill livestock compensatory allowances to Welsh producers under the 1994 scheme will be £5.5 million lower than under the 1993 scheme. Figures are not available for the maximum reduction in payment to any individual farming unit. The reduced 1994 payments should be seen in the context of rising overall farm incomes in the less-favoured areas and an overall increase in subsidy resulting from changes in other agricultural support.