§ 56. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why purchases of plant machinery and vehicles by farmers in the East Midlands area fell by 10 per cent. in the year 1969–70.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartI am not aware of any published estimate that indicates a decline of this order, but such decline as there has been is no doubt due to the reduction in farmers' financial resources to which two years' bad weather in the East Midlands have contributed substantially.
§ 57. Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) why average net farm incomes in the East Midlands area fell by 40.3 per cent. over the two years 1968–69 and 1969–70;
(2) why average net farm incomes in the East Midlands area fell by 18 per cent. in 1969–70 compared with the previous year.
§ Mr. PriorAverage incomes in the East Midlands were depressed by very poor weather both in 1968–69, when other areas also experienced a setback, and again in 1969–70 when incomes on similar farms elsewhere largely recovered.