§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed in agriculture in Somerset in each year from 1984–85 to 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [111963]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 28 February 2000]: People employed on main agricultural holdings in Somerset for the years 1984–85 to 1999–2000 are as follows:
Employees Total labour 1984 7,081 15,373 1985 7,187 15,436 1986 6,924 15,241 1987 6,808 15,229 1988 6,970 15,398 1989 6,579 15,056 1990 6,604 14,863 1991 6,501 14,605 1992 6,385 14,503 1993 6,491 14,611 1994 5,984 14,282 1995 5,879 13,866 1996 5,696 13,715 1997 5,724 13,695 1998 5,764 13,841 1999 5,277 13,197 Notes:
1. Employees consists of salaried managers, regular workers and seasonal/casual workers.
2. Total labour consists of employees and principal farmers, spouses, other farmers, partners and directors.
3. In 1998, fundamental changes were introduced to the labour questions on the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census in England, Wales and Scotland. It appears that this change in questions may have led to the recording of additional Labour who were not previously included in the returns. The change in questions has also led to a redistribution of labour between the various categories, most notably for salaried managers.
4. We therefore advise caution when comparing the 1998 results with previous years.
Source:
Agricultural and Horticultural Census