§ 39. Mr. Soamesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the total increase in farm costs over a full year resulting from the autumn wage award, the imposition of the import surcharge, the increase in fuel tax, the increases in the rates of National Insurance contributions, and the rise in Bank Rate.
§ Mr. PeartPart of the temporary import charge has been absorbed by dealers and distributors, and for the rest it is not possible to isolate the effects of the charge from those of other factors affecting costs. As regards the other items mentioned in the Question, these are estimated to increase costs by about £28 million in a full year.