§ Sir Robert HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of applications(a) made during 1996 for the countryside stewardship scheme, (i) in total and (ii) for Devon and Cornwall; and if he will indicate the number (1) approved and (2) being processed; and (b) made in 1995 which have not yet been determined. [8693]
§ Mr. BoswellSome 2,545 countryside stewardship applications were received during the 1996 application period; 1,336 have been identified for approval, of which 124 were in Devon and Cornwall. A total of 163 agreement offers have been issued, six in Devon and Cornwall, and the target is to issue all the remainder by the end of January.
Of the applications received, 873 have been rejected, 42 of which are in Devon and Cornwall. The remainder are still being processed.
Four 1995 applications in Devon and Cornwall passed to the Ministry by the Countryside Commission have not yet been determined. The equivalent figure for the scheme as a whole is not readily available.
§ Sir Robert HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average length of time his Department takes to process and approve applications for the countryside stewardship scheme; and if he will make a statement. [8694]
§ Mr. BoswellThe average length of time to process agreements in 1996 is likely to be about six months. This is no longer than had been expected, owing in part to 577W receipt of more applications than expected. It is the Ministry's intention to reduce the processing time for 1997.