§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers there were in Wales in each year since 1978.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsEstimates of the numbers of farmers, partners and directors doing farm work on agricultural holdings in Wales are as follows:
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Numbers 1978 34,900 1979 35,200 1980 34,300 1981 34,700 available in 1985–86 increasing annually to £28 million at current prices in 1992–93 which is mainly allocated for developments in line with county plans.
Numbers 1982 34,600 1983 33,200 1984 35,700 These estimates are based on the annual June censuses of statistically significant holdings. A more detailed analysis of the farm labour force up to 1983 is given in table 4.01 of "Welsh Agricultural Statistics No. 6, 1984", a copy of which is available in the Library.