HC Deb 07 May 1953 vol 515 c46W
Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the net losses of agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes, and the net gains of land brought into use for agriculture, in Scotland in each year since 1947.

Mr. J. Stuart

According to the agricultural returns submitted by farmers the net gains and losses in the area of crops and grass in Scotland in each year between June, 1947, and June. 1952, were as follows:

Acres.
June, 1947—June, 1948 + 3,187
June, 1948—June, 1949 —451
June, 1949—June, 1950 — 3,709
June, 1950— June, 1951 —5,052
June, 1951—June, 1952 — 2,464

The aggregate net loss over the five years in question represented rather less than 0.2 per cent. of the total area of crops and grass in Scotland.