To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the sheep subsidy and hill cow payments will be made; what delays there have been in payment; and if he will make a statement.

[pursuant to the reply, 18 January 1991, c. 616]: I am pleased to say that the difficulties referred to in the previous answer concerning the introduction of the new limit of 1·4 livestock units per hectare in the HLCA arrangements have now been resolved. Application forms can now be printed and will be issued to producers as soon as possible.I expect to announce the rates of HLCA payments shortly.My right hon. Friends and I shall, of course, do all we can to ensure that payments reach producers quickly just as soon as the necessary arrangements are all in place.