HC Deb 17 April 1989 vol 151 cc73-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farmers in Scotland received annual incomes from farming of(a) less than £4,999, (b) £5,000 to £7,499, (c) £7,500 to £9,999, (d) £10,000 to £14,999, (e) £15,000 to £19,999 and (f) over £20,000, respectively, for the latest convenient year.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 10 April 1989]: The information set out in the table for 1987–88 approximates as closely as possible to the income ranges for which information is sought and is estimated from a sample of accounts covering most types of full-time farm. The sample does not cover intensive and mixed farms and a small number of very large farms is also excluded.

Net farm income range £ Number of farms
less than 5,000 6,600
5,000 to 6,999 1,400
7,000 to 9,999 2,500
10,000 to 14,999 1,900

Net farm income range £ Number of farms
15,000 to 19,999 1,500
20,000 and over 3,000

Net farm income is the reward to the farmer and his wife for their manual work and for running the farm, and the return on their investment in stock and machinery.