§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations and discussions he has received about retaining the British Wool Marketing Board's statutory guarantee duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 9 February 1993]: I have received representations about the ending of the wool guarantee from a number of hon. Members, from the National Farmers Union of Scotland, from the Scottish Crofters Union and from the Scottish northern regional committee of the British Wool Marketing Board.
We announced our decision to terminate the wool guarantee in 1988. This element of direct involvement in 857W the wool market has outlived its usefulness, particularly in the face of EC support measures under the common agricultural policy. Sheep farmers will continue to receive very substantial Government support through ewe premium and hill livestock compensatory allowances. Scottish producers currently benefit each year by over £100 million in direct subsidies from these sources.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the British Wool Marketing Board's standard guarantee price in each year since 1979; what was the world wool price in each year since 1979; and what the income from wool has been to producers in the less favoured areas in Scotland in each year since 1979.
§ Sir Hector Monro[holding answer 9 February 1993]: The guarantee price for wool in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979 is given in the table:
Year Price (p/kg) 1979 112 1980–83 115 1984 120 1985–89 129 1990 125 1991 130 1992 117 The price of wool on world markets varies from country to country and is influenced by factors such as demand, availability and quality. The average price achieved for British wool at auction in each year since 1979 is given in the table:
Year Price (p/kg) 1979–80 103.20 1980–81 87.64 1981–82 101.99 1982–83 99.86 1983–84 119.91 1984–85 138.70 1985–86 112.69 1986–87 116.72 1987–88 133.87 1988–89 136.38 1989–90 109.58 1990–91 61.85 1991–92 161.08 1 Provisional. Information covering the income of producers in the less-favoured areas only is not available.