HC Deb 23 July 1991 vol 195 cc457-8W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the amount paid on interest charges by farmers for current farming purposes and buildings and works for(a) bank advances, (b) Agricultural Mortgage Corporation loans, (c) instalment credit, (d) leased assets, (e) other credit and (f) interest on deposits for 1990; what forecasts he has for 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

The latest estimates of the level of interest payments in 1990 were published in table 6.8 of Agriculture in the United Kingdom: 1990. Forecasts for the 1991 year will be contained in the next edition to be published early in 1992. I am sure that farmers generally will welcome the recent reductions in interest rates, which have been made possible by the success of the Government's anti-inflation policy.

used are about one-eighth of the large-scale 50 kilometre nets in the Pacific which prompted United Nations resolution against drift nets.