HC Deb 08 December 1998 vol 322 cc157-8W
14. Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he will take to assist farmers in Scotland. [61277]

Mr. Macdonald

Assistance is currently running at record levels. Last year, direct payments to Scottish farmers totalled almost half a billion pounds and latest indications are that a similar amount will be recorded for 1998. Throughout this year we have implemented a range of additional measures and these have been worth about £50 million. On 16 November, a further £36 million was approved for payment early next year.