§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the agricultural census data on a parish basis from each of the last 10 years are accessible by the general public at the Public Records Office; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerAgricultural census data for England aggregated to parish level are available for public inspection at the Public Records Office for data up to and including 1987. Data for 1988 have been sent to the PRO and will be available for inspection shortly.
Following a technical review which showed that parish aggregates may indirectly disclose detailed data, no further parish level material has been prepared. Research continues, with the aid of specialist consultants, to determine the best alternative methods for aggregation of agricultural census data for small areas, for public dissemination. When available, methods will be applied retrospectively to 1989.