§ 3.5 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state the number of bankruptcies of farmers registered in Great Britain in each of the calendar years from 1946 to 1956 inclusive.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)My Lords, I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for the last eleven years.
§ Following is the information referred to:
§ The figures for farmers, together with stock rearers, market gardeners, fruit, flower and seed growers are:—
| England and Wales | Scotland | |
| 1946 | 19 | 2 |
| 1947 | 35 | 4 |
| 1948 | 43 | 3 |
| 1949 | 68 | 6 |
| 1950 | 105 | 10 |
| 1951 | 124 | 7 |
| 1952 | 148 | 9 |
| 1953 | 182 | 6 |
| 1954 | 151 | 7 |
| 1955 | 195 | 6 |
| 1956 | 173 | 7 |
§ The figures for England and Wales are those compiled by the Board of Trade.
§ The Scottish figures, which reflect a substantial difference in bankruptcy law and practice, are not comparable with those for England and Wales, and have been furnished by the Accountant of Court.