HC Deb 15 April 1999 vol 329 c318W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cost benefit analysis he has carried out on IACS map checks. [73343]

Mr. Rooker

The programme of map checks was introduced following evaluations undertaken by the European Commission of the Department's arrangements for developing a central IACS database recording details of field areas included in Area Aid Applications in accordance with the requirements of Community legislation. There would have been a risk of significant disallowance of reimbursement of Exchequer expenditure from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund on the schemes to which IACS applies if such checks had not been instituted.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the administrative cost to date to his Department of carrying out IACS map checks. [73290]

Mr. Rooker

The information is not available. A number of checks are undertaken to meet the requirements laid down in Community legislation governing IACS and administrative costs of carrying out IACS map checks between 1994–1998 were not separately recorded.