§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish an index of farm incomes from 1970 to the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will show the effect of grants, compensation and support payments.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe following is an index at current prices of farming income as defined in table 21 of the White Paper "Annual Review of Agriculture 1982" (Cmnd. 8491).
Year Index (1970=100) 1970 100 1971 111 1972 118 1973 164 1974 138 1975 173 1976 223 1977 219 1978 215 1979 204 1980 184 1981 (forecast) 210 It is not, however, possible to isolate the effect of grants, compensation payments and market support payments on these figures.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the farm management survey has demonstrated an increase in full-time farm incomes from 1970 to the most recent year for which figures are available over and above the increase recorded in the retail price index; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerData are not available on which to base a comparison with 1970–71. Between 1971–72 and 1980–81 the farm management surveys record that on average the increase in net farm income per full-time farm in the United Kingdom did not exceed the increase recorded in the retail price index.