Single Payment Scheme

: I hope that the hon. Gentleman will support my argument that the people involved do not have a sense of the countryside, are failing it and should spend time in it working with its various aspects. I lend support to his comments by quoting an RPA response to correspondence from a constituent of mine who farms at Kilburn in the Vale of York. It stated:"““It is true that the Customer Service Centre (CSC) in Newcastle experienced some problems in the immediate months following its creation in February 2005.””" I pause because of that understatement. It continued."““An unprecedented number of calls and a shortage in experienced staff led to some farmers experiencing difficulties. RPA has addressed these issues and is working to ensure that all ‘front-line' staff are able in future to answer the majority of SPS questions put to them. I am sorry that this was not previously the case for””" your constituent.