§ Mr. Molyneauxasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average net income of farmers in Northern Ireland compared with farmers in England, Wales and Scotland at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartIt is estimated from samples of farm accounts that the average net income per full-time farm in Northern Ireland in 1968–69 compared with England, Wales and Scotland was:
£ Northern Ireland … … … 1,519 England … … … … 1,932 Wales … … … … 1,483 Scotland … … … … 1,912 NOTES:
1. Net Income is the return to the farmer and his wife for their manual and managerial labour, and for use of their tenant-type physical capital in livestock, growing and harvested crops, machinery, equipment, purchased materials, etc., but excluding land, buildings and any financial assets. It is calculated before deduction of interest on any loans; similarly it excludes interest on any financial assets owned. All farms are treated as rented and an imputed rental value is charged as an expense in the accounts of owner-occupiers.
Earnings of hired regular whole-time adult male workers*£ per week Minimum wage for adult male workers £ per week England and Wales† 17.96 1st July, 1969–1st February, 1970 (44 hour week) … 12.40 2nd February, 1970–30th June, 1970 (43 hour week) … 13.15 Scotland‡ … … 17.44 1st June, 1969–15th February, 1970 (42½ hour week) … 12.32½ 16th February, 1970–31st May, 1970 (42½ hour week) 13.32½ Northern Ireland‡ … 13.67 1st June, 1969–22nd February, 1970 (45 hour week) … 11.76 23rd February, 1970–31st May, 1970 (44 hour week) … 12.55 * Earnings in England and Wales and in Scotland are all cash earnings plus the cash value of any payments in kind. In Northern Ireland no account is taken of the cash value of payments in kind. The value of these payments in kind is put at £0.34 per week in England and Wales and £1.23 per week in Scotland. † Year ending 30th June, 1970. ‡Year ending 31st May, 1970.