§ 72. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Agriculture what was the gross estimated rental of agricultural land in England and Wales for the years 1910, 1915, 1920, and 1922?
§ Major BARNSTON (Comptroller of the Household)I have been asked to reply. As the reply is somewhat long, and contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. RILEYI have already received the answer, but it gives the rateable value only, while I have asked for the gross estimated rental. May I ask why it is that the gross estimated rental cannot be given, in view of the fact that a column in the rate book provides for it?
§ Major BARNSTONI am not at all sure whether it can be given, but I will represent it to my right hon. Friend.
§ Following is the reply:
§ I am unable to state the estimated rental, but the rateable value of agricultural land in England and Wales, as defined by the Agricultural Rates Act, 2315 1896, in the years mentioned in the question was as follows:
| £ | |
| 1910 | 23,732,277 |
| 1915 | 24,111,017 |
| 1920 | 24,736,662 |
| 1922 | 25,815,308 |
§ Note.—"Agricultural land," as defined by Section 9 of the Agricultural Rates Act, means any land used as arable, meadow or pasture land only, cottage gardens exceeding one quarter of an acre, market gardens, nursery grounds, orchards or allotments, but does not include land occupied together with a house as a park, gardens other than aforesaid, pleasure grounds or any land preserved mainly or exclusively for purposes of sport or recreation. It is exclusive of farmhouses and farm-buildings, tithe-rent charges and uncommuted tithes.