HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 c480W
15. Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about trends in farm income in Scotland. [49930]

Mr. Macdonald

Farm incomes tend to fluctuate. The latest Scottish Office Statistics show that 1997 was a difficult year, despite the highest ever amount of direct support being paid to Scottish farmers, but that 1994, 1995 and 1996 were all good years for much of Scottish Agriculture.

26. Mr. Flight

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning recent trends in farm income in Scotland. [49941]

Mr. Macdonald

Farm incomes were discussed when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my noble Friend Lord Sewel met the National Farmers Union of Scotland on 26 June.