§ Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the number of reported new lettings of tenanted land for each year from 1970 to 1978, inclusive.
§ Mr. John SilkinNew lettings of tenanted land are not reported to the Ministry, but the annual rent inquiry which covers a sample of about 30 per cent. of tenanted land shows that of farms in the sample with a rent change the numbers in England let to new tenants were as shown below:
By tender By agreement Total 1970 72 399 471 1971 55 537 592 1972 51 472 523 1973 43 334 377 1974 53 468 521 1975 49 388 437 1976 46 416 462 1977 46* 392 — 1978 54 420 474 Notes: 1. * Figures for England and Wales together. 2. The sample is not random so the total number of new lettings cannot be derived accurately from these figures.
§ Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of new tenant farmer entrants in the agriculture industry in 1978; and if he is satisfied with the rate of infusion of new blood into the industry.
§ Mr. StrangWe are seeking information from a sample of farms in our annual878W rent inquiry but this is not yet available. Lord Northfield's committee is examining the opportunities open to would-be entrants in to the agriculture industry and the committee's report is expected shortly.