§ Miss Quennellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is now the total acreage of glass available for glasshouse crops; and how this acreage is divided between edible and non-edible crops.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe June, 1972, able information is given in the table below. As my hon. Friend will know, the same glasshouse may be used for more than one crop each year, but non-usage is highest in winter.
Glasshouse Census Returns—England and Wales 2nd July, 1971 Acres 14th January, 1972 Food Crops 2,736 1,311 Flowers, etc. 1,111 1,200 Remaining glasshouse area (unused at census date, etc.) 422 1,768 Total area of glass 4,269 4,279 Note: This information relates to holdings with not less than 1,000 sq. ft. of glass (excluding lights and cloches) used for commercial production.