HC Deb 18 January 1995 vol 252 cc538-9W
Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the Welsh Office agriculture department released the first suckler cow premiums advance subsidy cheques to Welsh farmers.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

On 24 November 1994.

Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the reasons for the problems experienced by the Welsh Office Agriculture Department in the payment of suckler cow premium during 1994 and the particularly long delays for Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Delays in making payments for the 1993 scheme were due to the establishment of a new computer system, when the making of payments was transferred from the MAFF centre at Guildford to the Welsh Office.

Payments under the 1994 scheme commenced in November 1994.