§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to press for a better deal from the EU Commission for the United Kingdom over the Rural Development Fund. [41357]
116WAgriculture, Fisheries and Food only. The cost of overnight accommodation for departmental staff working away from home in each of the last four years is indicated in the table.
Please note our system records the overall cost of overnight stays, which will include bed and breakfast establishments as well as hotels, and some other costs (e.g. breakfast) specifically associated with stays away from home.
§ Alun MichaelDue to decisions taken by the last Government prior to 1997 and to the low historic spend in this sector, the UK's share of the rural development budget (3.5 per cent.) is disproportionately low when compared with its share of agricultural land in the EU (12 per cent.) and with the range of environmental and other problems currently faced by the UK. I am sure that the hon. Member will appreciate that decisions by the last 117W Government placed us in a weak position but that this Government's stronger position within Europe puts us in a position to raise these issues again.
CAP reform and increasing the financial resources going towards rural development are key aims for this Government. The mid-term review of the CAP provides us with the opportunity to press hard, not only for increased funds to be made available for rural development, but also to ensure the UK receives a fairer share of these funds.