HC Deb 24 March 1958 vol 585 cc12-3
23. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the explanation of the differences in figures for aggregate farming net income in the United Kingdom given in Appendix II of the Annual Farm Price Review and the corresponding Appendix of the Review for 1957.

Mr. Godber

As explained in the note at the top of page 8 of this year's White Paper, some of the figures given in the Appendices differ from those in previous Annual Review White Papers because of later information, improvements in methods of estimation and changes in sources of data. The small revisions which have been made to the figures of aggregate farming net income for 1956–57 and earlier years are attributable to these causes.

Mr. Willey

While I appreciate his explanation, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he realises that this has caused some confusion? We have the figures revised for the 1957 Price Review and we should try to avoid these variations.

Mr. Godber

I realise that there is a certain amount of confusion, although the variations are relatively small. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would agree, however, that it is important to have them as accurate as possible.

Mr. Willey

The Parliamentary Secretary appreciates that we are referring to old figures and that it is disturbing continually to have to revise these tables.

Mr. Godber

I have a certain amount of sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's view, because I have the difficult task of dealing with the masses of figures with which we have to cope. But it is important that if fresh information is obtained it should be made available.

Mr. Hurd

With this revision which brings up to date the income figures for the farming industry, may I ask whether the calculation has been fully explained to the leaders of the National Farmers' Union and whether, on the basis of that calculation, they fully endorse the figures in the White Paper?

Mr. Godber

Yes, these are fully agreed figures.