Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average net income from mixed farms of 50 and 100 acres, respectively, in Northern Ireland in the years ended 31st March 1930, 1931, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1974 and the estimated figure for 1975, respectively.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesInformation on farm incomes is not available for the years before 1945–46. Thereafter, it is not possible to give separate figures for 50-acre and 100-acre farms. The nearest relevant information is as follows:
Net Farm Income (including Interest on Capital) £/Farm Average Acreage per Farm 1945–46 Mixed crops and livestock 405 76 Mixed livestock 189 59 1949–50 Mixed crops and livestock 603 N.A. Mixed livestock 426 N.A. 1959–60 Mixed crops and livestock 250 77 Mixed livestock 600 78 1969–70 Mixed 1,356 97 Data for 1973–74 will not be published until March. It is too early to give a firm estimate for 1974–75.
The farm accounts on which these averages are based do not all end on 31st March. Changes in accounting procedure have occurred over the years and any long-term comparison of incomes is imprecise. In addition, between 1959–60 and 1969–70 the method used to classify types of farming changed. At the same time the scope of the survey changed and it is now limited to farms with a standard labour requirement of 200 standard man days or more.