§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in theOfficial Report the proportions of British farmers that fell into the annual income categories (a) below £8,000, (b) £8,000 to £10,000, (c) £10,000 to £12,000, (d) £12,000 to £14,000 and (e) above £14,000 for each of the last five years, at 1983 prices.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 15 February 1989: I regret that the information is not available in the 439W form requested. The farm business survey does, however, allow estimates to be made of the proportional breakdown of farm businesses according to broad income band at nominal prices. Information relating to the five latest years for which data are available, is set out in the table.
Percentage distribution of farm businesses according to net farm income in Great Britain: 1983–84 to 1987–88 All types of farm Level of net farm income (£) Years ending on average in February Less than 0 0 to less than 10,000 10,000 to less than 20,000 20,000 and over 1983–84 20 46 18 16 1984–85 18 41 20 20 1985–86 28 41 17 12 1986–87 23 39 21 18 1987–88 20 38 20 20 Notes:
- (a) Figures are derived from data collected in Farm Business Surveys by universities and agricultural colleges in Great Britain.
- (b) Net farm income represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on tenant type capital in livestock, crops, machinery etc. but excluding land and buildings. It is calculated before the deduction of interest on any farming loans. All farms are treated as rented
440 in the derivation of net farm income and an imputed rental value for owner-occupied land is charged as an expense in the accounts.