asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make a statement about the suspension of the ewe premium.

The Commission has not yet fixed this year's advance payment of the annual ewe premium (which last year was paid in October and November). Discussions on the figures to be used for the calculation are continuing. The relevant Council regulation provides for payment of an advance during the marketing year and, while there may be a short delay, I expect the payment to be well before the end of the current marketing year. We shall be examining the Commission's ideas for the future of the annual premium during the review of the régime.