§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much EU agri-money compensation was available to the United Kingdom to claim in the years(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998 and (e) 1999, and how much of this money was drawn down by the United Kingdom for those years. [1101335]
§ Ms QuinNo compensation is payable in respect of the strength of sterling in 1995. The table sets out the amounts of compensation available and the amounts actually paid or being paid in each year for the strength of sterling in246W the years shown at the left of the table. Compensation is paid on a degressive basis for the three years following a year in which sterling's value has triggered compensation.
EU funded agrimonetary compensation payable since 1997 £ million Year for which compensation relates 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Amount payable in each year 1996 344 229 114 — — 1997 — 90 60 30 — 1998 — — 276 92 46 Amount paid or being paid 1996 85 48 — — — 1997 — — — — — 1998 — — 264 88 44 Compensation for the strength of sterling before 1998 was optional, and 50 per cent. EU and 50 per cent. nationally funded. For 1998, compensation is compulsory and 100 per cent. EU funded in the first year. Only the EU funded amounts are shown in the table.