asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers are likely to qualify for hill cattle subsidy, as a result of the introduction of the Winter Keep Scheme, who did not qualify before.

To receive hill cattle subsidy a farmer must keep eligible cattle on eligible land in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Scheme. I cannot estimate the number who will satisfy these conditions for the first time as a result of the review of eligibility that is at present being carried out, but it might be quite a considerable number.

When my hon. Friend says "a considerable number", how does that compare with the number who, according to a previous Answer, might lose the hill cattle subsidy under the review?

The great difficulty is that, strange as it may seem, certain farmers who might be entitled to the hill cattle subsidy have not applied for it. These might now start applying and this is what makes it difficult to give an accurate estimate, but I would certainly expect a good deal more than this number of about 50 to qualify in future for the first time.