§ 3. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much land was lost to agriculture and forestry, respectively, during the last 12 months as a result of urban development.
§ Mr. StrangI assume that the hon. Member is referring to England alone, but I regret that the information is not available in these precise terms. For the five-year period ending June 1975, the latest period for which information is available, it is estimated that nearly 30,700 acres of agricultural land were 602 lost each year to urban, industrial and recreational use excluding mineral workings. Figures for comparable losses of forestry land are not available. This information is taken from the returns in the annual agricultural census.
§ Mr. SmithIs the Minister aware that if we go on squandering our inheritance at this rate, generations to come will curse us for our folly? Is he further aware that a comparatively small county like Warwickshire loses about 5,000 acres a year? Is it not time that there was a real effort to redevelop derelict land?
§ Mr. StrangYes; I am in sympathy with the hon. Gentleman. The Government are very conscious of the need to protect agricultural land. That is why we recently persuaded Parliament to impose a statutory obligation upon local authorities to consult the Ministry of Agriculture about any proposals to develop agricultural land.
§ Mr. Peter MillsDoes the Minister realise that in the South-West of England there are proposals to flood hundreds of acres of good agricultural land for a reservoir? Will he watch this position very carefully, as we simply cannot afford to go on wasting agricultural land?
§ Mr. StrangI absolutely agree that there must be no unnecessary loss of agricultural land. It is worth keeping this matter in perspective by reminding ourselves that the total annual loss of land from agriculture is running at about 0.3 per cent. per year, whereas the expected rate of increase in production is about 2½ per cent. But I agree absolutely with the hon. Gentleman's general observation.
§ Mr. ParkIs it not a fact that in the area referred to by the hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Smith) and in the West Midlands generally we get only half the grant that people in other areas get to reclaim derelict land?
§ Mr. StrangMy hon. Friend is presumably comparing the position in his area with that in development areas. This is obviously not a matter for the Ministry of Agriculture, but I shall consider what my hon. Friend has said.