§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of farm workers hold the national proficiency tests council certificate.
§ Mrs. FennerI regret that the information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member. However, since 1975 over 18,500 category-based craft 209W certificates have been awarded by the National Proficiency Tests Council, although not all holders of such certificates will currently be employed in agriculture.
§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of employed farm workers on each of the following dates (a) 1 January 1966, (b) 1 January 1976 and (c) 1 January 1986 or the last convenient date prior thereto.
§ Mrs. FennerI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. Numbers of regular workers, both family and hired, and of seasonal or casual workers recorded at June in 1966, 1976 and 1985 are given in the table:
Numbers of agricultural workers at June—United Kingdom Number 1966 522,227 1976 382,767 1985* 324,978 * provisional
Note: Figures for 1976 and 1985 include salaried managers in Great Britain.