§ Mr. Welshasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures showing the variations in real incomes for farmers in England and Wales over the past four years; and what estimates he has for next year.
§ Mr. BishopInformation from samples of farm accounts shows annual changes in net income per farm in current money terms. Expressed in real terms these changes on average for all types of farming—excluding horticulture—in England and Wales were +46 per cent. in 1971–72, +27 per cent. in 1972–73, +7 per cent. in 1973–74 and —25 per cent. in 1974–75. Expected income changes for 1975–76 are now being considered at the Annual Review of agriculture. It is not practicable to forecast farm income changes in 1976–77, since they will be affected by many factors, particularly the weather, which cannot be predicted.