HC Deb 12 July 1977 vol 935 c73W
Mr. Speed

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received regarding the development of agricultural land at Singleton, near Ashford; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Strang

My right hon. Friend the Minister has received two copies of a circular letter expressing opposition to the development of land at Singleton which was approved by the then Secretary of State for the Environment in 1974 following a public local inquiry. As the replies

£million
1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
Home production of food 1,612 1,693 1,789 1,901 2,060 2,420 2,992 3,327 3,931
Increase in production over previous year 81 96 112 159 360 572 335 604
Total expenditure on food 6,418 6,692 7,088 7,703 8,318 9,101 10,486 12,480 15,011
Increase in expenditure over previous year 274 396 615 615 783 1,385 1,994 2,531
Percentage of increase returned to producer* 29.6℅ 24.2℅ 18.2℅ 25.9℅ 46.0℅ 41.3℅ 16.8℅ 23.9℅
*Varies markedly from year to year for a number of reasons: e.g. variations in output due to weather, changes in prices of imports, and the rate of increase of domestic costs, including those of manufacturing and distribution.

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