HC Deb 23 December 1982 vol 34 cc672-3W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total gross and estimated total net income to the farmers of Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years in cash terms and in real terms taking the 1971–72 financial year as 100.

Mr. Adam Butler

There is no such concept in the agricultural accounts as gross income.

The following table gives estimated farming income for Northern Ireland for each year in the period 1971–81 in current money terms and, in index form, after deflation by the retail prices index. Figures for 1982 are not yet finalised.

Farming income Index of farming income*
£ million
1971 38.6 100
1972 40.4 98
1973 50.5 112
1974 28.2 54
1975 33.7 52

Farming income Index of farming income*
£ million
1976 47.9 63
1977 67.1 76
1978 65.0 68
1979 34.5 32
1980 14.2 11
1981 62.6 44
* After deflation by the retail prices index (1971 = 100).