HC Deb 04 March 1982 vol 19 c234W
26. Mr. Myles

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to improve the liquidity and cash flow position of farmers.

Mr. Peter Walker

The annual review of agriculture White Paper published last month showed that farming income rose by 14 per cent. in 1981, the first increase since 1976. Farmers will benefit in 1982 from the recent increases in certain hill livestock compensatory allowances and in the retail price of milk. More generally, the industry has benefited from successive devaluations of the green pound and from the favourable Community price settlements which we have negotiated.