To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1994, in Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire, of payments made under (a) the countryside stewardship scheme, (b) the hedgerow incentive scheme, (c) the countryside premium scheme and (d) the wildlife enhancement scheme; and what is his estimate of the cost in 1995. [38989]
I have been asked to reply.
Payments in the counties in question in the financial year 1994–95 under the countryside stewardship scheme totalled £1.279 million and under the Wildlife Enhancement scheme £464,000. Payments for the two schemes in 1995–96 are estimated to be £1.534 million and £330,000 respectively. The hedgerow incentive scheme was combined with countryside stewardship in October 1994 and separate costs are not available. Countryside premium is not available in the counties in question.