Mr. Colin Shepherd asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total sum paid to the United Kingdom farming industry under the European Economic Community sheep scheme (variable premium) between its inception and April 1981; and how much has been paid in the current year up to the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Buchanan–Smith: Payments made from the inception of the scheme on 20 October 1980 to 31 March 1981 totalled £45,295,448. Payments made since 1 April 1981 amounted to £33,992,715 at 6 October 1981. There is a backlog of claims following industrial action by computer operating staff earlier this year and the most recent claims paid are for the week starting 3 August 1981.