§ Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of farm land were taken for development of all kinds in England and Wales, during each of the last three periods of 12 months for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Cledwyn Hughes:The estimated losses of agricultural land in England and Wales for development of all kinds, including afforestation, were as follows:
1966–67 … 38,100 acres 1967–68 … 58,700 acres 1968–69 … 66,700 acres Because of the uncertainties involved in making estimates on an annual basis, these figures cannot be taken as reliable evidence of a trend.