§ Lord Dixon-Smithasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of arable area aid payments were made within the 31st December deadline.
Lord LucasI am pleased to say that arable area payments were sent out to 99 per cent. of claimants in England by 31st December, covering around 98 per cent. of payments by value. This successful result bears testimony both to the prompt and accurate return of claims by farmers and to the efforts made by the Ministry's staff to process payments as required by EU rules.