§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm co-operatives there are in the United Kingdom; what is the size of acreage under these co-operatives; and what is the value of this output per year.
§ Mr. StrangThere are two categories of co-operatives in agriculture. Co-operative societies are registered under the
Number Output 1973–74 £ Mainly requisite co-operatives … … … … … 124 308,343,000 Mainly marketing co-operatives … … … … … 431 345,236,000 Mainly service co-operatives … … … … … … 33 42,821,000* Unincorporated production groups … … … … … 500/600 (estimate) — * This includes NFU Mutual Insurance £37,127,000. Information about acreages is not available.
The latest available statistics are set out in a boklet published by the Plunkett Foundation for Co-operative Studies entitled "Agricultural Co-operation in the United Kingdom; Summary of Statistics 1973–74". I have sent a copy of this booklet to my hon. Friend and have placed a copy in the Library.