§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the average price paid per acre in Northern Ireland for hill farmland and for hill grazing land in the last year for which figures are available; and what were the sums paid five and 10 years ago;
(2) what has been the average price paid per acre in Northern Ireland for arable farmland without buildings in the last year for which figures are available; and what were the sums paid five and 10 years ago.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 14 March 1988]: Statistical information on sales of agricultural land in Northern Ireland is not available in the detail requested. The average price paid for all farmland sold in Northern Ireland in the year ending June 1987 was £1,310 per acre. The average prices paid in 1981 and 1976 were £1,172 and £563 per acre, respectively.