To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the likely financial correction to be imposed on the UK for non-respect of payment deadlines in 2005-06. (134685)

The current estimate of the potential financial correction to be proposed in relation to the UK for failure to meet payment deadlines in respect of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) for 2005 is around £70 million. The Government will continue to defend the UK’s interests against such proposals with the aim of ensuring that any corrections are minimised to the fullest possible degree.