31. Earl of Dalkeithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of hill farming land in England he estimates to have a seriously reduced productive capability due to infestation by bracken; and on how many acres in 1968 and 1969 grant was paid for bracken eradication.
§ Mr. MackieI regret that there is no reliable estimate of the acreage heavily infested with bracken. It is estimated that in England grant towards bracken eradication was paid on about 1,100 acres in 1968 and 930 acres in 1969.
Earl of DalkeithAs there is a fairly considerable acreage under bracken and there is great pressure on the land for other uses, such as forestry, would it not be a good thing for the Government to take steps to find out how much land is sterilised in this way?
§ Mr. MackieI take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I agree that bracken grows on the best hill land and that this is land which could be better used. I will see whether we can get some estimate.