HC Deb 26 March 1991 vol 188 cc391-4W
Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) ewes and shearlings, (b) dairy cows and (c) breeding sows and gilts there were in Scotland (i) in each of the five years from 1986 to 1990 and (ii) on average for the years between 1979 and 1981, inclusive.

thousands
Average 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
1979 to 19811
Ewes and gimmers2 3,136.8 3,377.2 3,463.7 3,569.2 3,639.7 3,686.5
Dairy cows3 283.1 269.9 263.8 250.5 246.5 242.5
Breeding sows and gilts4 50.9 42.0 44.4 47.5 47.0 50.7
1 The figures in this column are not directly comparable with those for the later years. Between June 1986 and June 1987, 5,995 holdings were removed from the main census; at June 1986 there were 88 thousand ewes and gimmers kept for breeding, 147 dairy cows and 97 breeding sows and gilts on these holdings.
2 Ewes and gimmers, at June of year stated, used for breeding in previous season.
3 Dairy cows and heifers in milk and dairy cows in calf but not in milk.
4 Sows and gilts in pig and other sows for breeding.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of(a) cereals and (b) potatoes were grown in Scotland (i) in each of the five years from 1986 to 1990 and (ii) on average for the years between 1979 and 1981, inclusive.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The information set out in the table shows the figures recorded in the June agricultural censuses of main holdings in Scotland.

Thousand hectares
Cereals2 Potatoes3
Average 1979 to 19811 505.5 34.2
1986 534.3 29.9
1987 520.7 29.0
1988 523.8 28.3
1989 506.0 27.7
1990 478.3 27.2
1 The figures in this column are not directly comparable with those for later years. Between June 1986 and June 1987, 5,995 holdings were removed from the main census; at June 1986 there were 1,013 hectares of cereals and 206 hectares of potatoes on these holdings.
2 Includes wheat, triticale, barley, oats and mixed grain for threshing.
3 Includes potatoes for seed and ware.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many agricultural holdings there were in Scotland in 1980, 1985 and 1990, respectively.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The number of holdings included in the June agricultural censuses of main holdings in Scotland were as follows:

thousands
1980 31.4
1985 31.3
11990 27.2
1 The figure for 1990 is not directly comparable with those for the earlier years. Between June 1986 and June 1987, 5,995 holdings were removed from the main census.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The information set out in the table shows the figures recorded in the June agricultural censuses of main holdings in Scotland.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) whole-time and (b) part-time farmers there were in Scotland in 1980, 1985 and 1990, respectively.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The information set out in the table shows the figures recorded in the June agricultural censuses of main holdings in Scotland.

thousands
1980 1985 1990
Full-time occupiers 14.1 13.9 12.9
Part-time occupiers1 9.0 9.8 8.6
1 The figure for 1990 is not directly comparable with those for earlier years. Between June 1986 and June 1987, 5,995 holdings were removed from the main census; at June 1986 there were 3,480 part-time occupiers on these holdings.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of investment by the agricultural industry in Scotland in(a) plant and machinery, (b) vehicles, (c) buildings and (d) works, in 1979, 1980, 1985 and the latest year for which figures are available (i) in cash terms and (ii) at fixed prices.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: Figures showing the levels of investment in Scottish agriculture are set out in the table, with the exception of separate figures for buildings and works, which are unavailable.

£ million
Plant and machinery Vehicles Buildings and works
1979
Current prices 61.5 3.8 70.5
Constant 1985 prices 90.7 5.9 104.1
1980
Current prices 53.5 3.4 98.7
Constant 1985 prices 67.4 4.6 110.3
1985
Current prices 71.4 7.4 97.3
Constant 1985 prices 71.4 7.4 97.3

Plant and machinery Vehicles Buildings and works
1989
Current prices 73.2 8.7 54.1
Constant 1985 prices 58.1 6.6 43.6

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of workers engaged in agriculture in Scotland in 1980, 1985 and 1990, respectively,(a) in total and (b) whole time.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: The information set out in the table shows the figures recorded in the June agricultural censuses of main holdings in Scotland.

thousands
1980 1985 1990
Total workers1 2 40.6 34.0 27.9
Of which: full time 28.9 25.0 20.0
1The figure for 1990 is not directly comparable with those for the earlier years. Between June 1986 and June 1987, 5,995 holdings were removed from the main census; at June 1986 there were 463 workers on these holdings.

£ million
Roads and Transport Water and Sewerage Police Education Social Work General services Total
Regions and Islands Districts
1978–79 217.740 145.853 13.138 129.109 19.249 185.002 710.091
1979–80 209.134 170.729 13.456 106.132 22.022 196.563 718.036
1980–81 160.659 151.812 14.382 94.559 20.181 159.629 601.222
1981–82 191.987 145.530 12.668 99.345 20.682 147.714 617.925
1982–83 189.892 122.556 13.539 83.919 20.577 166.987 597.471
1983–84 188.901 133.626 14.161 72.423 23.436 142.560 575.107
1984–85 185.981 128.353 13.660 67.997 28.248 143.760 568.001
1985–86 208.669 119.362 14.664 73.902 26.500 132.422 575.519
1986–87 193.311 125.838 15.737 66.511 20.030 130.369 551.795
1987–88 158.608 113.540 19.539 70.574 22.005 76.190 90.834 551.289
1988–89 151.353 119.564 20.313 78.825 24.796 81.163 93.240 569.255
1989–90 176.717 128.988 18.962 81.593 24.449 60.352 109.800 600.861

Note:

Figures are at constant 1989–90 prices, as measured by the GDP deflator. For general services, total district council expenditure is readily available only for the latest three years. General services expenditure up to 1986–87 is for regions, islands and districts.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the capital allocations, disaggregated into blocks, for 1991–92 for each local authority in Scotland.

£'000
Roads and transport Water and sewerage Police Education Social work General services Total
Borders Region 4,200 4,500 3,453 430 1,200 13,783
Berwickshire 500 500
Ettrick and Lauderdale 500 500
Roxburgh 600 600
Tweeddale 200 200
Central Region 4,400 7,800 326 3,914 1,340 1,400 19,180
Clackmannan 500 500
Falkirk 1,000 1,000
Stirling 850 850
Dumfries and Galloway Region 6,300 7,000 2,250 3,010 780 1,200 20,540
Annandale and Eskdale 250 250
Nithsdale 350 350
Stewartry 250 250
Wigtown 700 700
Fife Region 8,300 11,500 543 5,530 1,440 2,300 29,613

2Includes full-time and part-time regular staff, and casual and seasonal workers; excludes occupiers and spouses working on holdings.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tractors were acquired by the agriculture industry in Scotland(a) in total and (b) of 40 kW and over, in 1979, 1985 and the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 25 March 1991]: Figures on the number of tractors acquired by the agriculture industry are not available.