HC Deb 27 June 1980 vol 987 cc354-5W
Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total loss of agricultural land and countryside over each of the last five years.

Mr. Wiggin

The average yearly loss of land from agricultural holdings in England—excluding the woodland on those holdings—during the five-year period June 1974—June 1979 is estimated as 21.2 thousand hectares (52.4 thousand acres). Information about losses to the countryside in general is not available.