HC Deb 11 February 1972 vol 830 cc450-1W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for the years 1961 to 1971 the amount of agricultural land lost to other uses; and if he will specify, with statistics, the principal uses for which this former farmland has been required during this 10-year period.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The following estimates are based upon the agricultural census which is concerned only with holdings having significant output or comprising at least 10 acres of agricultural land. The figures for 1970–71 are not yet available.

increase the price of this commodity on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community;

(2) whether he is aware that, whereas the price of butter in Great Britain during 1971 averaged around 28p per lb., it rose to 46½p per lb. in France; and to what extent the proposed further increase of between 5 per cent. to 8 per cent. in farm prices in the European Economic Community will affect the price of this commodity to the British housewife on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Prior

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to his Questions on Tuesday, 8th February, 1972.—[Vol. 830, c.297–8.]