It’s great to see Iain highlighting Defra’s gross inefficency. I wonder if his parents are aware that they stand to lose up to 20% of their European farm payments because Tony Blair wants the money to be diverted into environmental projects instead.

Iain has mentioned one example of Defra cocking up. Despite having degrees, it seems their staff can’t add up At least one farmer has even become a millionaire over night after Defra paid him £2.1 million – he was expecting only £35,000.

There was also the ludicrous situation where some of the returned addressed envelopes sent out by the RPA to various farmers had the wrong post office box number and postcode on them. It seems that a batch of special delivery envelopes were delivered not to the RPA, but to a company called Intelligent Security Solutions.

What confidence is that going to inspire? It’s hardly surprising having been told by a Shadow Minister that Defra ends up with the “dregs” of civil servants who have been turned down for posts at other departments and end up there as a last resort. I must admit I do not understand this as their remit is so important.

Lord Rooker was in East Anglia a couple of days ago and apologised profusely for the payments’ shambles.

He said: “We failed to deliver in England and I apologise. Farmers and the community have been tolerant and I am not making any excuses. We have caused a lot of distress and I apologise for that.”

So why was Mararet Beckett promoted if this was her legacy? Other people now have to finish off her job that she failed at so miserably. Charles Clarke admitted his department’s mistakes and got the chop, why didn’t she?