§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the rents of tenant 279W farmers have been increasing rapidly and consistently over many years; and whether he will seek to amend Section 2 of the 1958 Agriculture Act to deal with this situation.
§ Mr. Mackie:In recent years rents per acre in England and Wales have risen by about 7 per cent. a year. The legislation relating to agricultural holdings in England and Wales is at present under review, in consultation with the industry, and it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate the outcome.