HC Deb 21 April 1994 vol 241 cc630-1W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average size for(a) each English county and (b) each farm business survey county group of all (i) severely disadvantaged area, (ii) disadvantaged area and (iii) less-favoured area farms and for (1) SDA, (2) DA and (3) less-favoured areas farms larger than eight ESUs—European size units.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 20 April 1994]Estimates of the average sizes of main holdings are obtained from the annual June agricultural census. The average size in 1992 of all main holdings which are wholly or mainly in the less-favoured areas and those greater than eight ESUs is given in the table.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) full-time hired farm workers and (b) part-time hired farm workers were employed on farm holdings in the less-favoured areas for (i) each English county and (ii) each farm business survey group in each year since 1992 and in 1994.

Estimated number of hired workers on holdings wholly or mainly in less favoured areas (excluding minor holdings)
1992 1993
FBS Province and County full time hired1 part time hired2 full time hired1 part time hired2
East Midland
Derbyshire 161 114 173 106
161 114 173 106
Northern
Cumbria 364 211 364 195
Durham 243 65 222 72
Northumberland 610 191 604 188
1,217 467 1,190 455
North Eastern
Cleveland 46 15 52 8
North Yorkshire 371 190 381 212
South Yorkshire 33 25 34 25
West Yorkshire 196 102 185 111
646 332 652 356
North Western
Cheshire 13 19 14 21
Greater Manchester 28 27 35 22
Lancashire 203 154 193 163
Shropshire 119 64 134 70
Staffordshire 84 63 70 68
447 327 446 344
Southern
Hereford and Worcester 37 21 31 20
37 21 31 20
South Western
Cornwall (including Isles of Scilly) 137 139 132 147
Devon 330 243 342 263
Somerset 84 46 70 49
551 428 544 459
England TOTAL 3,059 1,689 3,036 1,740
1Full time hired workers includes regular whole time workers and salaried managers.
2Part time hired workers includes regular part time hired workers.

Source:Agricultural Census