Question
What steps he is taking to effect payment of 1996 sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, hill livestock compensatory allowances and arable aid payments to farming enterprises currently determining their separate business status.
Answer
Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to effect payment of 1996 sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, hill livestock compensatory allowances and arable aid payments to farming enterprises currently determining their separate business status; and if he will make a statement. [7215] Mr. Raymond S. Robertson: Payments under the schemes to eligible businesses will be made in the normal way. In cases where the status of the business is in dispute and where the special review arrangements, which we have established, have been invoked, letters are being sent to the farmers concerned inviting them to agree that the related businesses should be treated as one, on a provisional basis, to facilitate payment and to avoid potential hardship.