§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was (a) the average money income which his Department estimates was earned by Scottish farmers in 1975, 1978 and 1980 and (b) the equivalent in terms of the value of the £ sterling in 1975.
§ Mr. YoungerFarming income in Scotland is estimated at £131 million in 1975, £114 million in 1978, and £33 million in 1980. When adjusted in terms of the general index of retail prices to 1975 values, the figures for 1978 and 1980 become £78 million and £17 million, respectively.
In 1980, farming income was shared among about 14,000 full-time and 9,000 part-time working occupiers, as compared with 16,000 full-time and 9,000 part-time in 1975.