§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of farmers have become bankrupt in each of the past five years. [69309]
§ Mr. RookerThe table sets out the number of bankruptcies in the agricultural and horticultural sectors in England and Wales between 1993 and 1998. During this period the total number of farmers, partners and directors in England and Wales has been in excess of 200,000. In each of these years therefore bankruptcies represented less than ½ per cent. of this total.
Number of bankruptcies in the agricultural and horticultural sectors: England and Wales 1993–98 Year Bankruptcies of self-employed individuals Company 1 Insolvencies Total 1993 277 157 434 1994 231 166 397 1995 218 99 317 1996 168 89 257 1997 155 51 206 19972 (January to June) 88 23 111 1998 (January to June) 71 30 101 1 Including partnerships 2 Last 6 months figures unavailable for 1998. For comparison purposes half yearly figures for 1997 have also been provided Source
Department of Trade and Industry