§ Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the number of farms in active production compares with the number 10 years ago, and in 1945.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIn June, 1963, there were 335,684 holdings in England and Wales with more than one acre of land used for agriculture, compared with 386,861 in June, 1953, and 370,258 in June, 1945. I regret I cannot distinguish those in active production, if by that term my hon. Friend means full-time farms, or holdings with a certain minimum production.
Part of the reduction since 1945 is attributable to temporary war-time entrants subsequently leaving the industry, and part to changes over the last 18 years in the system of enumeration.