§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of appeals against the Rural Payments Agency were successful in(a) 2003–04 and (b) 2002–03. [151957]
§ Alun MichaelThe Rural Payments Agency is responsible for the administration of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Appeal Procedure in England. The procedure was introduced on 1 April 2002 to provide IACS scheme applicants with easy access to an independent review of decisions on their claims. Those appellants who are unsuccessful at the first stage of the procedure have the opportunity to progress to a second stage. The percentage of successful appeals under each stage of the appeal procedure is as follows:
2002–03 2003 to date Number of appeals completed stage 1 50 48 Percentage successful/partially successful 30 27 Number of appeals completed stage 2 5 18 Percentage successful/partially successful 20 33
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to pay interest on the late settlement of rural payments due to appeals. [151959]
§ Alun MichaelThe Rural Payments Agency will consider on a case-by-case basis requests for the payment of compensation in lieu of interest in successful appeals.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) total number and (b) average value of appeals under consideration by the Rural Payments Agency is. [151960]
§ Alun MichaelThere are currently 28 Stage 1 and three Stage 2 appeals under consideration by the Rural Payments Agency under the Integrated Administration and Control System Appeal Procedure in England. Information on the average value of appeals under consideration can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.