§ 9. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of farms were let under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1948 in 1950 and 1975.
§ Mr. Strang64 per cent. of agricultural holdings in England and Wales were rented wholly or in part in 1950 and 54 per cent. in 1974. Figures for 1975 are not available. These percentages are not strictly comparable because of alterations in the coverage of the agricultural census.
§ Mr. CookeThe percentages represent a decline and the Government should be seeking to look after the interests of agriculture as a whole. Will the Minister try to ensure that there are still farms to let to those in the industry and to those young people well qualified to enter it? Will he ensure that such tenancies as are available are let to those best qualified to take them up?
§ Mr. StrangThe hon. Gentleman seems to be referring to the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The Government have made it absolutely clear that they are considering whether to give sons of tenant farmers who work on the holding a statutory right to succeed. That is what the new provision is all about.