Rural Payments Agency: Basic Payment Scheme

Baroness O'Cathain Excerpts

Tuesday 24th March 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, my understanding is that this is a devolved matter. The Statement that I repeated covers only England. I apologise if that sounds like a cop-out, but it is probably better if I do not stray into Northern Ireland farming problems.

[Baroness O'Cathain (Con)]

My Lords, perhaps I may ask the Minister a very simple question. Is every single farmer IT literate? Does every single farmer have a computer? In other words, is every single farmer online?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

Increasingly that is the case, but the RPA has written to all farmers, who may not all be online, and equally to all those who may have broadband problems in the areas where broadband is not completely rolled out. By way of the helpline, the mobile units and so on, the RPA is trying to make sure that those who are not online get help.