HL Deb 09 June 1959 vol 216 cc771-3

2.35 p.m.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many acres of agricultural land were taken out of production last year for industrial development, housing and other building purposes, and whether they are satisfied that existing powers are wide enough to prevent the undue loss of land which can produce food to the national advantage.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, the information on the net losses of agricultural land to particular uses is not complete. As an approximate estimate. however, the net loss to building development in 1957-58, the latest year available, was 30,300 acres. Two of the main aims of planning policy are to ensure that valuable agricultural land is not taken for development where less valuable land can reasonably be used instead and that development which is unnecessarily extravagant in its use of land is not allowed. The statutory powers available to planning authorities, in consultation wherever appropriate with my Ministry, are satisfactory for these purposes.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is really satisfied that understandable figures are available of the amount of land which is taken from agriculture every year, bearing in mind that once land has gone it has gone for ever and that in this small island it is really a danger that we may not leave enough land to grow our food?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I will do my best to give understandable figures, but the statistics in this matter are not wholly easy. I have tried to answer the Question the noble Lord asked, in which he referred to building developments and I gave him the figures of the net loss of land for building, mineral workings and sports grounds, which we classify under building purposes, but, of course, there are other losses and gains. I shall be glad to give these to the noble Lord if he wishes to have them.

LORD FRASER OF LONSDALE

My Lords, I make no complaint—indeed, I would thank my noble friend for his Answer. But what troubles me is that I question whether Her Majesty's present Government, or any Government, have adequate figures to show the loss, and this loss is so vital that I feel sure some machinery should be set up to get adequate figures.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I think that we have adequate figures to show the losses. Statistics are based on the returns of agriculture holdings every year, and we obtain returns of agricultural land of all holdings of over one acre. I think that that does provide the statistical basis which is required.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether these figures apply only to England and not to Scotland? I wonder if that can be made clear, as it is not clear in the Question.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, it is not in the Question, and I will let the noble Viscount know whether the figures are for the United Kingdom or for England and Wales only. The noble Viscount's Question is very pertinent.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether a great deal of agricultural land would not be saved if local authorities were encouraged to redevelop blocks of buildings which have fallen into disrepair, instead of letting them fall into still further disrepair and replacing them by taking more agricultural land for building new cottages or houses?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I hardly think that that arises from the Question, but it is a matter to which I will call the attention of my right honourable friend.