§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each year since 1970, based on 1970= 100, the estimated change in real income of farmers in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe information is not available in the form requested. Figures based on the farm management survey relating to a sample of full-time dairy and cattle and sheep rearing farms, which show average net farm incomes excluding breeding livestock stock appreciation, after allowing for inflation as measured by the retail price index, are as follows:
Old farm classification (1970–71 = 100) 1970–71 100 1971–72 157 1972–73 192 1973–74 202 1974–75 126 1975–76 162 1976–77 178 1977–78 178
New farm classification (1977–78 = 100) 1977–78 100 1978–79 113 1979–80 65 1980–81 73 Notes:
Indices shown under the old classification reflect net incomes after deducting depreciation at historic cost; under the new classification, depreciation is computed at current cost. Their coverage by type of farming also differs slightly.
Breeding livestock stock appreciation represents the change in market prices of breeding cattle, sheep and pigs between the opening and closing valuations.