§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the increases in overall farm incomes between 1973 and 1976; and what has been the level of inflation during the same period.
§ Mr. BishopInformation about United Kingdom farm net income in recent years was given in the 1976 Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 6392). The relevant information is as follows:
£ millions 1972–73 … … 866 1973–74 … … 1,275 1974–75 … … 1,263 1975–76 (forecast) … … 1,357 A revised figure for 1975–76 and a forecast for 1976–77 will be published in the 1977 Annual Review White Paper.
The percentage changes in the retail price index in the same period are given below.
Percentage change in RPI comparing consecutive June/May years 1972–73–1973–74 … … + 11.5 1973–74–1974–75 … … + 19.2 1974–75–1975–76 … … + 23.4 (Source: Monthly Digest of Statistics Department of Employment.)