§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by county how many applications for payment of sheep annual premium he has received in the current year; and what proportion in each county remained unpaid on 1 March.
§ Mr. AncramThe number of applications received under the 1994 sheep annual premium scheme is as follows:958W number of individuals paying tax and the size of the work force in each region of the United Kingdom; and if he will give estimates for each year up to and including 1996–97.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 24 March 1994]: Regional estimates are not readily available for all the past years requested. Information based on the survey of personal incomes for 1981–82, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.
County Number of Applications Antrim 2,652 Armagh 1,219 Down 2,659 Fermanagh 608 Londonderry 2,154 Tyrone 2,761 All applications are unpaid. The first advance of premium cannot be paid until authorised by the EC Commission.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what date he expects all applications for sheep annual premium in the current year to be paid out.
§ Mr. AncramPayments under the 1994 sheep annual scheme are expected to be completed by June 1995.
The Commission normally authorises two advance payments which are expected to be made in September-October 1994 and December 1994-January 1995.