Mr. Gareth ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve the administration of payments to farmers in Wales. [35065]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesStaff in the Welsh Office are working extremely hard to make payments to farmers, within the constraints of the current administrative arrangements. I am very conscious, however, that those arrangements need to be improved. As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review process, the Welsh Office is, therefore, inviting consultants to tender for a study to assess the options for securing an improved service. I am writing to all hon. Members for Welsh constituencies with more information on the study, sending a copy of my letter to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) for information, and placing a copy in the Library of the House.