§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the level of indebtedness among dairy farmers in each year since 1974.
§ Mr. GummerThe following table shows the average level of total liabilities on dairy farms in England, together with the proportion that these represent of total assets, for each year from 1978–79. Comparable information for earlier years is not available. Data for 1991–92 will be published in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom".
Dairy Farms in England: Indebtedness1 Accounting year ending on average mid-Feb Total External Liabilities (£ per farm) External Liabilities as a percentage of Total Assets 1978–79 15.4 8 1979–80 20.7 11 1980–81 24.6 12 1981–82 29.6 13 1982–83 32.6 13 1983–84 42.2 16 1984–85 43.3 16 1985–86 51.8 18 1986–87 54.2 19 1987–88 49.5 16 1988–89 50.1 15 1989–90 57.0 14 1990–91 63.1 14 1 All data based on closing valuations.