HL Deb 10 February 1998 vol 585 cc156-7WA
Lord Burton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total cost of government aid to Scottish farming. [HL391]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)

In 1997, direct payments to Scottish agriculture were worth around £490 million. Additional benefits accrue to the industry via other programmes. For example, in 1997–98, around £65 million will be spent on research, development, education and advisory services in Scotland. Farmers also benefit from market support measures which aim to keep EU prices above world market prices. The cost of such support measures for the UK as a whole in 1997–98 is estimated at around £540 million.

Lord Burton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of aid to crofting taken from the Scottish agricultural budget. [HL392]

Lord Sewel

Agricultural support which is available only to crofters totalled £8.5 million in 1996–97. Other support measures, such as livestock subsidies and agri-environment and structural payments, are available to both crofters and farmers. However, separate figures for payments to crofters under these schemes are not available.