§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the administration costs of paying agricultural aid. [128304]
§ Mr. Nick Brown[holding answer 29 June 2000]: The administration costs of paying agricultural aid was approximately £67.5 million in the last financial year. This figure covers the payment of some £2.2 billion under CAP and agri-environment schemes, and BSE emergency measures, by the Ministry's regional organisation and the Intervention Board. It also includes the cost of support work carried out by the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency and ADAS on the agri-environment schemes.