To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers were declared bankrupt in each of the years 1979 to date; and if he will make a statement.
Figures for bankruptcies in England and Wales for the agricultural and horticultural sectors from 1979 to date are as follows:
No. of bankruptcies
| per centage of total bankruptcies
| |
| 1979 | 55 | 1·7 |
| 1980 | 50 | 1·3 |
| 1981 | 70 | 1·5 |
| 1982 | 78 | 1·5 |
| 1983 | 98 | 1·5 |
| 1984 | 155 | 2·0 |
| 1985 | 136 | 2·1 |
| 1986 | 130 | 1·9 |
| 1987 | 172 | 2·4 |
| 1988 | 162 | 2·1 |
| 1989 | 142 | 1·7 |
11990 | 136 | 2·2 |
1 first half. | ||
Note: Figures from 1983 onwards were set out in 'Business Briefing' published by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce dated 9 November 1990. Previous figures were published in 'British Business' dated 29 April 1983 and 22 January 1982.
The balance sheet from British agriculture remains strong with liabilities representing less than a fifth of total assets.