asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards gaining acceptance by the European Community council of Ministers for the United Kingdom's proposals recently submitted for the extension of the less favoured area scheme to include marginal hill land in Wales and elsewhere; and if he will ensure that, in so designating hill land, there will be a corresponding increase in the total resources available for financing these schemes.

The case for extending the United Kingdom's less-favoured areas is with the Commission. It is too early to say when it will be considered by the Council of Ministers. As my right hon. Friend has said on many occasions, there is no Government commitment to provide additional aid from public funds to any extension of our less-favoured areas.