§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the upper level of the countryside premium scheme, and if he will make a statement. [17257]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonDetails of payments for the countryside premium scheme were announced on 31 January. There are no plans to introduce any changes, but all elements of the scheme will be kept under review once it has been launched.
§ Mrs. MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of farms expected to join the Scottish countryside premium scheme in 1997–98 and 1998–99; and if these figures were made available to the European Commission during his discussions about the introduction of the scheme. [17256]
§ Mr. RobertsonWe have made no estimate of the number of farms expected to join the scheme in 1997–98 and 1998–99 but we anticipate a considerable degree of interest.