HC Deb 31 March 1958 vol 585 c819
2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average farm rent per acre now; and what it was three years ago.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)

There are no statistics of rents paid on all farms in the country. The average rent per acre on a sample of tenanted farms in England and Wales was 30s. 3d. in 1953–54 as compared with 34s. 6d. for a similar sample in 1956–57.

Mr. Digby

Can my hon. Friend say how these variations compare with those in farming income, on the one hand, and the cost of repairs and maintenance on the other?

Mr. Godber

I could not tell my hon. Friend that without notice. I should be very glad to look into it if he would wish me to.