asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 6 June (WA 178), what is the current position on single farm payments.[HL7246]

As at 27 September 2006, 112,914 claimants had received a total of £1.497 billion in full or partial payments under the 2005 single payment scheme. Of the estimated 3,560 claimants who have yet to receive a payment, approximately 99 claimants have a claim value of more than €1,000 or £682. Work continues to complete processing of the remaining claims as soon as possible.

A statement on the likely payment timetable for the 2006 scheme will be made shortly.