§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed in the farming sector in Leicestershire in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000; and how many he projects will be employed in 2000–01. [101060]
§ Ms QuinThe information requested is as follows:
People employed in the farming sector in Leicestershire Farmers, partners, directors and spouses working on the holding Salaried managers and all other workers 1 Total workforce 2 (a) June 1996 3,884 3,003 6,887 (b) June 1997 3,833 3,003 6,836 (c) June 1998 3,837 2,974 6,811 June 1999 3,805 2,725 6,530 1 Including hired, family and casual workers working on 1 June 2 Excludes youth training Notes:
1. The figures have been taken from the annual June Agricultural and Horticultural Census. These data relate to main holdings only.
186W2. In 1998 fundamental changes were introduced to the labour questions. It appears that this change may have led to the recording of additional labour who were not previously included in the returns. The change in questions has also led to a redistribution of labour between the various categories, most notably for salaried managers. Caution is therefore advised when comparing the 1998 and 1999 results with previous years.
MAFF does not have any projections for the year 2000–01.