HC Deb 28 May 1970 vol 801 cc500-1W
Sir Clive Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual average increase in United Kingdom agricultural net output between a base date of 1964–65 up to and including the current forecast for 1969–70; and what was the annual average increase in net output between a base date of 1959–60 up to and including output for 1964–65.

Mr. Mackie:

On a base date 1964–65, the annual average increase in agricultural net output to 1969–70 was 1.1 per cent. On a base date 1959–60, the comparable figure to 1964–65 was 4.2 per cent. As my right hon. Friend has repeatedly said, output in agriculture in any year may fluctuate appreciably not least because of the weather, so the answers thrown up by this sort of exercise will vary depending on the base and terminal years that are selected.