HC Deb 26 January 1996 vol 270 cc457-8W
Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved since designation in the Shetland islands environmentally sensitive area. [11169]

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: As at 19 January 1996, 84 farmers and crofters have been offered agreements under the Shetland islands environmentally sensitive area scheme.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved, since designation, in the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area. [11170]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: As at 19 January 1996, 123 farmers and crofters have been offered agreements under the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area scheme.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved in the Shetland islands environmentally sensitive area, since its designation, involving payments under tier 2 in year 1 of the plan of(a) 0 to £1,000, (b) £1,001 to £2,000 and (c) £2,001 to £3,000. [11171]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: The number of agreements offered under the Shetland islands environmentally sensitive area scheme involving payments under tier 2 in year 1 of the plan is as follows:

Number
(a) 0 to £1,000 44
(b) £1,001 to £2,000 21
(c) £2,001 to £3,000 19

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved in the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area, since its designation, involving payments under tier 2 in year 1 of the plan of(a) 0 to £1,000, (b) £1,001 to £2,000, (c) £2,001 to £3,000 and (d) £3,001 to £3,500. [11172]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: The number of agreements offered under the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area scheme involving payments under tier 2 in year 1 of the plan is as follows:

Number
(a) 0 to £1,000 9
(b) £1,001 to £2,000 12
(c) £2,001 to £3,000 10
(d) £3,001 to £3,500 92

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total area of land entered into the grassland birds management option in the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area. [11173]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: As at 19 January 1996, the total area of land entered into the grassland birds management option in agreements offered under the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area scheme was 292.48 hectares.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the allocated budget for(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) other agri-environment schemes in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [11174]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: The supply estimates provision for (a) the environmentally sensitive area scheme and (b) other agri-environment schemes is set out in the following table.

£ million
1992–93 1993–94 1994–95
Environmentally sensitive areas 3.905 5.285 4.500
Other agri-environment schemes — 0.050 0.095

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total area of grass for hay and silage recorded in the June agricultural census within the boundary of the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area. [11175]

Mr. Forsyth

[holding answer 24 January 1996]: In 1994, the total area of grass for mowing for hay and silage production within the boundary of the Argyll islands environmentally sensitive area was 4,129.9 hectares. This figure includes an estimate for minor holdings.