§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many forms MCAP009.114 his Department received and processed in each of the past four years; [2334]
(2) if the information on form MCAP009.119 is held in computer form; what categories of analysis are used; if the information is held centrally; and if the method of information processing is standard for each area. [2336]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 27 November 1995]: The forms referred to are the covering letter requesting details of a farmer's field by field cropping for the period 1982 to 1991 and the blank cropping record itself. These forms are issued to farmers by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department in order that the eligibility of individual fields for aid under the arable area payments scheme can be determined.
The information is held locally in the Department's area offices and is not held on computer. The forms are analysed to ensure that individual fields meet the strict EC rules covering the eligibility of land for AAPS aid. Aid can be paid only on land which on 31 December 1991 was not in permanent grass, permanent crops, woodland or non-agricultural use. The process of analysis is standard throughout Scotland.
1281WInformation on the number of forms received and processed could be provided only at disproportionate cost.