§ Mr. PollardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's expenditure is on agri-environment schemes in the financial year 1999–2000. [117728]
§ Mr. MorleyPayments to farmers under agri-environment schemes in England in 1999–2000 are expected to be £87.4 million. The equivalent figure in 1996–97 was £44.4 million. I am pleased to say that this represents an increase of 97 per cent. over the last three years.