HC Deb 03 May 1967 vol 746 cc529-30
33. Mr. Bitten

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated decline in the full-time employment of agricultural workers since the publication of the National Plan; what annual figure this represents; how it compares with the annual rate of decline predicted in the National Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Mackie

The number of regular whole-time agricultural workers in the United Kingdom has fallen by 50,600 between June, 1964, and June, 1966. This represents an annual rate of 25,000. The selective expansion programme envisaged a reduction in total agricultural manpower of 140,000 persons by 1970 but no precise annual rates were given and no distinction was made between regular whole-time workers and other workers. It is too early to say whether the total outflow will be mere or less than 140,000 by 1970.

Mr. Biffen

None the less, is the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures have already given considerable cause for disquiet, as expressed by the President of the National Union of Agricultural Workers, and that, whatever may be the view of the National Plan, there are many people who believe that the agricultural labour force must be maintained and that the Government's prices and incomes policy must not be used to mili-I tate against the level of earnings of that industry?

Mr. Mackie

We did not just pick this figure out of a hat. We looked at the situation between 1945 and the present time and based our calculations on what had happened in that period with the increase in production and productivity. I cannot think that even the hon. Gentleman with his knowledge of agriculture would say that in 1967 that will just stop.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Is not the really disturbing factor in the figures which the hon. Gentleman has given the fact that the figures tend to increase year by year at a more rapid rate than foreseen in the National Plan? Is not the hon. Gentleman too complacent?

Mr. Mackie

That is not the case. The rate of outflow has fallen by more than 1 per cent. over the last year. I do not want to be too personal about the hon. Gentleman's constituency, but I have been in an area there where there were about 14 employees on a 700-acre farm which was growing only grain and some potatoes. If there is any area which can afford to put a few men out, it is that.

Mr. Rankin

Will my hon. Friend say how far the reduction in the number of farm employees has been due to the spread of battery farming, particularly with regard to hens? [Laughter.] This is important.

Mr. Mackie

I am almost sorry, Mr. Speaker, that you did not rule that one out of order. I think that the answer is, "No, Sir."

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. Is is not sufficient for an hon. Member to have one person to rule him out of order, and not two?

Mr. Speaker

I think that the answer is "Yes".

Mr. Godber

In the light of the hon. Gentleman's reply, is it not clear that as things are going, this is about the only target in the selective expansion programme which is likely to be hit?

Mr. Mackie

No. We have hit it in cereals and we have hit it in milk, and hope that we have hit it in eggs.