§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the impact upon environmental and conservation considerations in placing limits on payments to farmers in environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland and of the system outside Scotland;
(2) what reasons spending limits are in place on support for farmers and crofters in environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland; and what assessment he has made of the system outside Scotland.
§ Mr. LangThe limits on annual payments to participants in the Scottish environmentally sensitive areas scheme are intended to ensure value for money and to maximise the conservation benefits of the scheme within the resources available. The limits are set in the light of the conservation requirements in each area and are kept under review. The Scottish environmentally sensitive areas scheme is distinct from the agri-environment schemes in other parts of the European Union and reflects Scottish circumstances.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when the first payments of hill livestock compensatory allowance and sheep annual premium were made in 1994; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the current value of hill livestock compensatory allowance and sheep annual premium for the average recipient; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what factors have led to delay in paying hill livestock compensatory allowance and sheep annual premium in the current year; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what percentage of Scottish claims for hill livestock compensatory allowance had been settled by (a) 20 May 1994 and (b) 2 December 1994; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what has been the average delay in the current year in the receipt of hill livestock compensatory allowance and sheep annual premium by Scottish fanners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangThe first payments under the 1994 HLCA scheme were issued on 25 February 1994. The first payments of advances under the 1994 sheep annual premium scheme were issued on 27 October 1994.
The average payments per claim under the 1994 HLCA scheme and the 1993 sheep annual premium scheme were £2,510 and £6,665 respectively. The full rate for the 1994 sheep annual premium is not yet known.
There was no delay in the payment of 1994 HLCA claims. Eighty-eight per cent. had been paid by 31 March 1994, which compares favourably with previous years.
954WNinety seven per cent. of claims had been paid by 20 May 1994 and 99 per cent. by 2 December 1994.
Concerning the 1994 sheep annual premium, the EC regulations do not specify a date for the payment of advances of the premium, but I refer the hon. Member to the answers which my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibilities for agriculture and the environment gave to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) on 24 November.