§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services haw many agricultural workers receive family income supplement (a) by region, and (b) as a percentage of the total work force.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI regret that information is not available in the form requested. There are no recent reliable regional occupational statistics for the family income supplement scheme (FIS). Occupational classifications used in FIS statistics are not directly comparable with other central Government classifications. It is not, therefore, meaningful to show FIS recipients as a percentage of the total agricultural work force.
The right hon. Gentleman may, however, find it helpful to know that in July 1979 there were estimated to be 6,520 families on FIS whose head was employed in agriculture. In addition to farm workers this category includes, among others, fishery, forestry, estate, market garden, horticultural, riding stable and game workers. The estimate is based on the routine sample survey of FIS recipients and is subject to statistical error.