§ Sir Richard Bodyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any study has been made by his Department as to how the different types of farmers have benefited from the existing system of support.
§ Mrs. FennerInformation about grants and subsidies received by farm businesses, according to type of farming, is collected as part of the farm management survey. The most recent published information is contained in "Farm Incomes in England 1983–84", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information relating to 1984–85 for the United Kingdom is expected to be published in a few weeks time.
The total effect of farmers of the existing system of support could be assessed only by making hypothetical assumptions about the alternative policy which might otherwise have obtained.