asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they have taken to strengthen the regional organisation following the delays experienced in 1995 in payments under the arable area payments scheme.

With the aim of avoiding any such delays on this or other schemes, and despite a general reduction in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's running costs budget of over 5 per cent., the regional organisation (which makes payments under the arable area payments scheme) will benefit from an increased level of provision for the financial year 1996/97 compared with the current year. Various improvements in information technology and in management procedures arc also in train.