HC Deb 01 March 1962 vol 654 cc1529-30
44. Sir J. Maitland

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state for each year since 1950 the production and the net income of the agricultural industry; and if he will present the figures in such a form that they can be compared with the relationship between income and productivity recently set out in the Command Paper entitled Incomes Policy: The Next Step.

Mr. Soames

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the index of agricultural net output together with figures of the industry's income from 1950 to 1960. This shows that net output rose by 19 per cent., the incomes of those contributing to it, i.e. farmers, farmworkers and landowners, 26 per cent., and the incomes of farmers by themselves, 32 per cent. The Command Paper on Incomes Policy, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, is concerned with general principles for the economy as a whole.

Sir J. Maitland

Cannot the general principles be applied to an industry about which the Government have every economic detail?

Mr. Soames

Yes, but this principle is one which is for the economy as a whole, as opposed to individual industries.

Mr. Fernyhough

Can the right hon. Gentleman also say what the pre-centage increase was in the subsidies over the same period?

Mr. Soames

No, Sir, not without notice.

Sir C. Osborne

How do these increases both in production and income compare with the industrial figures?

Mr. Soames

Again, I would need notice of that question in order to compare it with the rest of the economy as a whole.

The following is the information:

Index of Agricultural Net Output Income of Agricultural Industry† Aggregate Farming Net Income*
(Pre-war average= 100)* £ million £ million
1950 145 610 273
1951 149 637 329½
1952 153 679 340
1953 156 687 338
1954 152 674 302½
1955 156 690 337½
1956 161 708 327
1957 162 737 363½
1958 161 740 323
1959 169 746 356
1960 (Provisional) 172 767 359

Notes:

* Years beginning 1st June.

†Calendar years. These figures give the combined income of farmers, landowners and workers, after providing for depreciation

These figures are for the United Kingdom.

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