22. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the loss of arable land for farming due to housing developments in Scotland over the next 10 years.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonI have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) on 25th January, 1967.— [Vol. 739, c. 294.]
Earl of DalkeithWould the Minister agree that as the world becomes increasingly short of food arable land will become increasingly important to this country? Will he therefore consider a scheme of incentives for local authorities to persuade them to do more of their building on land which is of less good agricultural value?
§ Dr. MabonIt is the policy of the Department and has been our policy for some time that where all things are equal we choose to build on poorer rather than better land. However, as the hon. Member for Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) was informed, about 5,000 acres of agricultural land of all qualities is being taken out of agricultural production for development. That is the present rate. I cannot give the hon. Gentleman any assurance beyond saying that we will keep looking at the trends to ensure that the policies being followed are correct.
§ Mr. SmallTaking into account the figures projected over the next 10 years and considering this problem in terms of land use—a non-transferable asset for children yet unborn; this is non-inheritable land, as it were—would my hon. Friend agree that we must be particularly careful in this matter?
§ Mr. StodartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many people in the City of Edinburgh deplore the decision of his right hon. Friend to take out of production about 120 acres of very fine arable land at a famous farm called "East Craigs"?
§ Dr. MabonI have noted the hon. Gentleman's remarks. He must realise 523 that many painful decisions must be taken by Secretaries of State from time to time to cope with the problem of housing our people. He will, of course, accept that this, too, is a primary matter of social concern.