§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received on the complexity of integrated administration and control system forms; what plans he has to simplify their form, and if he will make a statement. [26551]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesSeveral. This year's forms have again been kept as straightforward as is consistent with the need to gather detailed information from farmers. Further help has been provided for farmers this year; the majority received a print out showing the key details from their 1994 returns. This enabled them to update last year's information, rather than have to complete fresh forms. The explanatory booklet was also improved this year with further clarification to the text and greater use of cross-references.
Suggestions for further improvement are welcomed. Every participating farmer has been invited to comment on the scheme literature to assist in the preparation of the documentation from 1996. However, the extent to which the forms and literature can be simplified further is constrained by the need to meet the requirements for the collection of detailed information. These requirements are prescribed in the governing regulations and are necessary in order to enable the system to achieve its overall objective and to ensure that the substantial payments which farmers receive are made on a proper basis.
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