§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many tenant farmers there are in Wales; and what were the corresponding figures for the last six years.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsWhile information on the number of principal farmers, by tenure, is not available, the numbers of agricultural holdings rented in Wales are as follows:
Wholly rented More than 50 per cent. rented 1975 7,504 2,831 1976 7,160 2,896 1977 6,857 2,673 1978 7,034 2,192 1979 6,651 2,093 1980 5,904 1,971 1981 5,643 1,935
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters of complaints he has received from individual farmers, landlords, tenant farmers, the Country Landowners Association, the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales during the last 12 months regarding the agricultural tenancy agreements under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI have received 10 letters during the last 12 months urging the introduction of legislation to change the security of tenure provisions of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Of these, seven were from members of or on behalf of either the NFU or CLA.