Written question asked by Lord Marlesford (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 March 2006.

Rural Payments Agency

Question: Whether the administration of the single payment scheme delivery is satisfactory; and whether they will arrange for the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to take personal responsibility for the Rural Payments Agency until any existing issues have been resolved.

Answer: In respect of the administration of the single payment scheme, I refer to the Written Statement I made on 16 March (col. WS 101–02)As I said in the Statement, Mark Addison, former acting Defra Permanent Secretary, has been appointed as acting chief executive to provide stronger leadership to the Rural Payments Agency.Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary of my department, will continue to take a close personal interest in the delivery of the SPS, including through her chairing of both the RPA Ownership Board (which provides strategic direction and oversight of the agency) and the executive review group which approves all key strategic and operational decisions related to the SPS.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4621; 680 c63WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Common Agricultural Policy: Single Payment Scheme
Thursday, 16 March 2006
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Administration Agriculture Standards Subsidies Rural Payments Agency Common agricultural policy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk