§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, to date and by region, the number of farmers who have been prosecuted for alleged criminal fraud in respect of payments of grants for renovating hedgerows and banks; what has been the result of the prosecutions; what effect unsuccessful prosecutions have had on subsequent grant payments; and if he will make a statement. [60]
§ Mr. BoswellEarlier this year, a group of 19 cases in the south-west involving false claims for grant on hedges under the farm and conservation grant scheme were listed for prosecution. Two of these cases were heard by the Crown court. They resulted in acquittals. In the second of these cases, it was held that there was insufficient evidence to prove criminal dishonesty. In the light of this, the remaining 17 cases were withdrawn. However, where, as in these cases, grant has been claimed in breach of the scheme's rules, we will seek to recover grant to which farmers are not entitled. We are taking action to do so. Other grant claims from the farmers concerned will be dealt with on their own merits in the usual way.