HC Deb 24 May 1960 vol 624 cc188-9
7. Sir R. Glyn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the net sum paid in Income Tax by farmers in respect of their farms in each year since 1947; and what proportion of the subsidy paid to farmers in each year is represented by the tax paid by farmers in that year.

Mr. Amory

I regret that this information is not available.

Sir R. Glyn

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the total sum paid in agricultural support prices in the current year is approximately equal to the estimated total net income of all farmers for that year? Would he further agree that a substantial part of the sum paid to the farmers in support prices is returned to the Treasury in the form of taxes paid by farmers?

Mr. Amory

As to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question, I would say from memory that the net income of the industry is rather higher than the total cost of agricultural support. With regard to the second part of the supplementary question, I sincerely trust that an appropriate part of the income is returned to the Treasury in taxation. I would confirm that it amounts to a substantial sum, but what proport on it represents I am not, unfortunately, in a position to tell my hon. and gallant Friend.