asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimates the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made of the total amount of fines that the Government may have to pay to the European Commission due to their failure to pay the 2005 single farm payments within the required timescale; and when these fines are due to be paid. [HL1873]

The Government have explained to the European Commission why they believe that late-payment penalties in respect of the 2005 single payment scheme (SPS) would be inappropriate and, should the Commission make any relevant proposals in due course, will continue to defend the UK’s interests. Nevertheless, the possibility of late-payment penalties was reflected in Defra’s resource 2005-06 accounts, as laid before Parliament on 30 October 2006.