§ Mr. Freudasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his plans to reduce the loss of prime agricultural land to industrial and urban usage.
§ Mr. StrangGovernment policy is to ensure that wherever possible land of a higher quality is not taken for development where land of a lower quality is available, and that the amount of land taken is no greater than is reasonably required for carrying out the development in accordance with proper standards. Under arrangements made by my right lion. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, local planning authorities are requested to consult my Department on applications to develop 10 or more acres of agricultural land which do not accord with approved development or other plans, or for lesser acreages if these would be likely to commit the planning authority to the approval of development on a wider scale in the locality.