HC Deb 24 July 1969 vol 787 cc462-3W
Mr. Ednyfed Hudson Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the final out-turn of the cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom for 1968–69.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

The latest out-turn figure—subject to final adjustment and audit—of the cost of agricultural support in the United Kingdom in the financial year 1968–69 is £265.5 million. This is £15.9 million less than the forecast shown in Appendix V of the 1969 Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 3965). Details are:—

I. IMPLEMENTATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRICE GUARANTEES
£ million Provisional Outturn 1968–69
Cereals:
Wheat and rye 17.7
Barley 29.5
Oats and mixed corn 10.8
58.0
Potatoes 6.2
Eggs 16.2
Fatstock:
Cattle 19.3
Sheep 7.0
Pigs 14.3
40.6
Wool 6.3
Total I 127.3

II. RELEVANT PRODUCTION GRANTS (OTHER THAN IV BELOW)
£ million
Fertilisers 30.9
Lime 4.6
Ploughing 1.1*
Field beans 1.2
Field drainage (except tiling) 0.5
Calves 26.8
Beef cows 4.0
Hill cows 10.3
Hill sheep 7.3
Winter keep 4.6
Silos
Small farmers 1.8
Farm business records 1.0
Crofting (cropping, etc.) 0.4
Other 0.9
Total II 95.4
* Includes expenditure under the £10 Emergency Payments Scheme (£0.7m.) which is "non-relevant".
III. OTHER GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES
£ million
Field drainage (tiling) 4.0
Water supply 0.4
Livestock rearing land 0.6
Hill land 0.6
Farm improvements 13.6
Farm structure 0.2
Investment incentives 9.3
Crofting improvements 0.3
Other 0.1
Total III 29.1
Totals I, II and III 251.8
Administrative expenses estimate 12.0
IV. OTHER SERVICES
£ million
Payment from U.K. Exchequer for the benefit of agricultural producers in Northern Ireland 1.7
Total estimated cost of agricultural support 265.5

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