FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE RURAL PAYMENTS AGENCY

That this House regrets the emotional and financial distress experienced by farmers as a result of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) single farm payment fiasco; notes that thousands of farmers are spending a second Christmas waiting for money owed to them by the RPA; also notes that almost 1,000 farmers are still waiting for the cheques they applied for more than 18 months ago; notes that there has been a 50 per cent. increase in calls to the Rural Crisis Network; notes that farm borrowings are up by £379 million in just one year; therefore deplores the news that the former Chief Executive of the RPA has received more than £180,000 of taxpayers' money since he was dismissed nine months ago; further notes that farmers across the country will see this as a reward for failure; and calls on the Government to ensure that all farmers who are still awaiting payments are issued 80 per cent. of their entitlement in a part payment by Christmas 2006.