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Written question asked by William Ross (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 March 1997. It was answered by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Monday, 10 March 1997 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question
When the official notice regarding the (i) opening for applications and (ii) closing of the countryside enhancement scheme appeared in the press in Northern Ireland; how many applications were received, from (a) each county and (b) each council district; to whom advance notice of the scheme was given and on what dates; when copies of the details of the scheme were made available to (a) farmers and (b) other bodies; and if he will place a copy of the details of the scheme in the Library. - Including tables and fact that a leaflet with details of the scheme will be placed in the Library. (Holding answer 4 March 1997).
Answer

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the official notice regarding the (i) opening for applications and (ii) closing of the countryside enhancement scheme appeared in the press in Northern Ireland; how many applications were received, from (a) each county and (b) each council district; to whom advance notice of the scheme was given and on what dates; when copies of the details of the scheme were made available to (1) farmers and (2) other bodies; and if he will place a copy of the details of the scheme in the Library. [18513] Mr. Ancram: [holding answer 4 March 1997]: (i) A press release was issued on 27 January 1997 announcing the opening of the farm and countryside enhancement scheme and (ii) another press release was issued on 30 January 1997 announcing the closure. (a) The following applications were received from each county: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number Co. Antrim 73 Co. Down 291 Co. Londonderry 535 Co. Armagh 674 Co. Fermanagh 866 Co. Tyrone 1,752 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. (b) The following applications were received from each district council: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number Armagh 295 Craigavon 58 Limavady 162 Newry and Mourne 535 Omagh 726 Belfast 3 Dungannon 418 Lisburn 74 Newtonabbey 34 Strabane 267 Cookstown 341 Fermanagh 855 Londonderry 106 Magherafelt 224 Other District Councils 31 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Sixty-two applications were received and are being checked to find out the council area to which they belong. The Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association was informed on the afternoon of 27 January 1997 when the press release was being issued. Attempts were made to inform the Ulster Farmers Union, but it could not be contacted until the morning of 28 January 1997. Details of the scheme was made available to farmers and other bodies on 28 January 1997. A leaflet with details of the scheme will be placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18513; 292 c61-2W
Session
1996-97
Subjects
Northern Ireland Farm and countryside enhancement scheme
Contains statistics
Yes