§ 88. Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the reduction in the numbers employed in agriculture in England and Wales during each of the past four years; what trends are apparent in the figures so far available for 1967; how recent trends compare with the reduction envisaged in the National Plan; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MackieIn recent years the numbers of seasonal and casual workers have fluctuated up and down, but the general trend in the labour force is best indicated by the number of regular workers employed which has declined in successive twelve month periods ending June, 1966, by 12, 22, 22.7 and 21.9 thousand respectively. More recently the reduction has been rather less marked, being 18 thousand in the twelve months ending March, 1967. No precise annual rates were given in the selective expansion programme, but the general trend is not out of line with that envisaged.
§ Mr. Hazellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will give figures showing the number of people employed in agriculture and horticulture in the United Kingdom in the 84W years 1965 and 1966 in the following categories, advisory services, administrative, clerical, bailiffs and foremen, cowmen and other stockmen, tractor drivers, general workers, market gardeners and auxiliary workers.
§ Mr. John MackieThe information for these years is available only for regular whole-time male adult agricultural workers in Great Britain:
Thousands—at June 1965 1966 Managers, bailiffs, foremen and and grieves 19.5 16.7 Cowmen 19.0 19.6 Other stockmen 26.6 23.2 Tractor drivers 45.0 42.3 General workers 104.6 94.0 Market garden workers 17.0 20.0 Auxiliary workers 5.6 5.4 Partners and unclassified family workers 48.4 47.5 Total (a) (b) 285.7 268.7 Notes:
(a) The figures relate to the numbers returned as workers on agricultural holdings in the June Agricultural Census.
(b) No information is available about occupations of agricultural workers in Northern Ireland. The numbers in each occupation are estimated from representative sample surveys and are subject to sampling errors.
Advisory Service; Administrative and Clerical Workers
No complete figures are available. In 1960–61 it was estimated that there were 2,600 managers and 7,600 persons employed as office staff on farms in England and Wales, who were not included in the June Agricultural Returns.