§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual administrative running costs of the Crofters Commission, including its share of the cost of administering the crofting agriculture scheme, the township development scheme, the various livestock schemes and the building grants and loan scheme. [26344]
§ Sir Hector MonroThe Crofters Commission's approved running costs budget for 1995–96, including the 273W cost of administering the crofting counties agricultural grants scheme and the township development scheme, is £1.444 million. The commission has no involvement in the administration of the crofters building grants and loans scheme or the livestock improvement schemes for crofters.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual administrative cost of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of (i) the crofting agricultural loan scheme, (ii) the crofting township development scheme, (iii) the crofting building grant and loan scheme (iv) the livestock improvement scheme. [26343]
§ Sir Hector MonroThe estimated cost to the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department in 1994–95 of administering crofting schemes is set out in the table.
Scheme Administrative cost £000 Crofting counties agricultural grants scheme 680 Crofting township development scheme 2 Crofters building grants and loans scheme 870 Livestock improvement schemes 330
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of applications under the crofting agricultural grants scheme for projects not requiring prior approval and the number of applications for comparable projects in each year since 1991–92. [26382]
§ Sir Hector MonroThe information requested is set out in the table.
Financial year Number of applicants claiming grant 1991–92 2,731 1992–93 2,688 1993–941 2,537 1994–952 2,334 1 Applications for assistance towards cost of improving virgin hill land not accepted after 1 April 1993. 2 Minimum level of claims increased from £100 to £500 with effect from 15 April 1994.