§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the effect of current hill farming incomes on the rural Welsh economy. [55595]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesWelsh Office officials are currently preparing income forecasts for hill farming as part of the annual review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. This is an exercise to which we attach great importance. An assessment of the impact of recent trends in farm income on rural employment will also be made.
Agriculture is estimated to contribute directly about 8 per cent. to total employment in the Less Favoured Areas (LFA). Agriculture also indirectly supports jobs in other industries; and published studies suggest that in the LFA every 10 full-time jobs in agriculture support approximately a further four jobs in related industries.