Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 14 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 May 2003. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 May 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the position, under the European Commission's mid-term review proposals, of land rented for grass keep; what her policy is on this matter; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the position, under the European Commission's mid-term review proposals, of land rented for grass keep; what her policy is on this matter; and if she will make a statement. [109844] Margaret Beckett: It is difficult to predict the likely impact on individual businesses, but our initial analysis suggests that, at an aggregate level, the proposals will not have a significant impact on the rental value of land for grass keep.

Secondary information