HC Deb 08 December 1970 vol 808 cc62-3W
42. Mr. Moate

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of persons engaged in the horticultural industry, including packaging and distribution of home-grown produce, in the United Kingdom, in the county of Kent and in the Faversham constituency, respectively.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

It is estimated that there were 85,000 employees and self-employed persons on full-time horticultural holdings in the United Kingdom in June, 1969, and that 11,000 of these were in Kent. The estimates include persons engaged in packaging and distributions on these holdings, but no information is available as to the numbers engaged elsewhere in the packaging and distribution of horticultural produce. I regret that separate figures for the Faversham constituency are not available.

43. Mr. Moate

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total annual value of horticultural produce in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

In this year's Annual Review White Paper the value of horticultural output at farm gate prices was forecast at £226 million for 1969–70.