§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many persons were employed in the farming industry in each of the past 10 years. [79262]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 4 November 2002]: The answer is as follows:
Total labour force in England Thousand 1991 445.0 1992 440.2 1993 437.7 1994 430.9 1995 425.2 1996 420.5 1997 417.0 1998 415.0 1999 397.7 2000 373.9 2001 1386.8 2002 (provisional) 386.9 1The figures for June 2000 and 2001 are not directly comparable. Between 2000 and 2001 a review of temporary holdings took place, which resulted in the addition of holdings not previously included in the census. If these holdings had not been included in June 2001 the total agricultural labour force would have been recorded as 368.3 (thousands). Notes:
1. Includes estimates for minor holdings.
2. The total labour force is that employed on registered agricultural holdings.
3. The estimates include employees, farmers, partners, directors and their spouses where the spouse works on the holding.
4. Estimates have been made for non-respondents
5. Figures exclude school children but include trainees employed under an official youth training scheme and paid at Agricultural Wages Board rates or above.
6. In 1998, fundamental changes were introduced to the labour questions on the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census in England. It appears that this change in questions may have led to the recording of additional Labour who were not previously included in the returns. We therefore advise caution when comparing the 1998 results with previous years.
Source:
June Agricultural and Horticultural Census