§ 3. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural holdings were to let in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available.
§ Mr. DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult for sons of farmers to find farms to rent and that this is a most unfortunate thing?
§ Mr. GodberYes, indeed, and it is to that end that I hope the new Agriculture Bill which we discussed the other day will have some effect.
§ 4. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the total number of agricultural holdings in England and Wales has varied in each of the last three years; and if he will state the main reasons.
§ Mr. GodberThe total number of agricultural holdings fell by 5,800, or 1½ per cent., between June, 1954, and June, 1955; by 4,600, or 1¼ per cent., in 1955–56; and by 3,000, or under 1 per cent., in 1956–57. My right hon. Friend regrets that it is not possible to give reasons for the changes that occur from year to year.
§ Mr. DigbyCan my hon. Friend give any indication how far this is due to larger units and the amalgamation of holdings?
§ Mr. GodberI am afraid that we have no evidence on that point. In fact, the figures have not been uniform in the way they have fallen over the last few years, but there was a rise in the years preceding that period, so it is somewhat difficult to draw any close analogy from this.