§ Mr. Joplingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the percentage change in net income in real terms for the periods 1970 to 1973 inclusive and 1974 to 1977 inclusive for the agriculture industry, using forecast figures where necessary.
§ Mr. John SilkinAggregate farming net income excluding stock appreciation, a broad indicator of farmers' disposable income, increased in real terms by 42 per cent. between 1970 and 1973 and by 8½ per cent. in the period 1974 to 1977—forecast. The latter period has been marked not only by the adverse weather of 1975 and 1976 but also by unprecedented increases in the industry's costs,
Commodity Units Percentage change in total new supply between 1970 and 1973 Percentage change in total new supply between 1974 and 1977 Total new supply in the four years 1970–73 Total new supply in the four years 1974–77 Beef and veal … '000 tonnes -10.2 -7.2 4,761 5,028 Mutton and lamb … '000 tonnes -13.6 -6.0 2,104 1,748 Pork … '000 tonnes +11.1 -6.5 2,674 2,468 Bacon and ham … '000 tonnes -10.5 -9.1 2,476 1,963 Poultrymeat … '000 tonnes +12.2 -1.2 2,528 2,585 Total meat supplies … '000 tonnes -3.5 -6.0 14,543 13,795 Milk (output for human consumption) million litres +11.4 +8.2 52,084 54,896 Butter … '000 tonnes -10.4 -11.7 1,789 1,942 Cheese … '000 tonnes +8.7 -2.8 1,258 1,365 Cream … '000 tonnes +9.4 -8.6 350 353 Condensed milk … '000 tonnes +10.0 -5.0 876 797 Milk powder … '000 tonnes +2.9 -53.1 146 82 Skimmed milk powder … '000 tonnes -40.6 +163.5 393 411 Eggs … million dozen -4.7 -1.5 4,981 4,641 Sugar … '000 tonnes (refined basis) -7.6 +6.3 10,916 9,954 Wheat … '000 tonnes -5.2 +0.8 36,575 34,269 Barley … '000 tonnes +3.9 +14.5 37,238 37,024 Oats … '000 tonnes -5.4 -12.1 4,794 3,451 Total cereals … '000 tonnes +1.3 +6.3 92,407 90,328 Notes:
1. Total new supply represents United Kingdom home production plus imports minus exports.
2. Figures for 1977 are forecast.