HC Deb 19 April 2000 vol 348 c530W
19. Mrs. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the recently announced support package for farmers in Wales. [118454]

Mr. Paul Murphy

The farming unions in Wales have broadly welcomed the support package for farmers in Wales which was announced at the recent agriculture summit chaired by the Prime Minister on 30 March.

20. Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the First Secretary to discuss the future of agriculture in Wales. [118455]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I meet the First Secretary on a weekly basis and discuss a wide range of issues, including the agriculture industry in Wales. The farming summit on 30 March chaired by the Prime Minister demonstrated the Government's commitment to the future of farming, agreeing a package of measures and additional funding for farmers across the UK. This will include measures to help them adapt to the problems facing agricultural economies in the 21st century. This should mean an additional £28 million in total for Welsh farmers.

24. Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary with regard to the state of farming in Wales. [118459]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I meet the First Secretary on a regular weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues including the Welsh farming industry. This subject was addressed at the Agriculture Summit chaired by the Prime Minister on 30 March, when a package of measures worth £200 million across the UK was agreed. The Finance Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales has subsequently confirmed that over £28 million of this will be available to Welsh farmers.

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