Common Agricultural Policy (Duchy of Lancaster) (Hansard, 21 April 1999)

HC Deb 21 April 1999 vol 329 c600W 600W

§ 23. Mr. Jack
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the ways in which CAP reform will have an impact upon the returns from the estates currently run by the Duchy of Lancaster. [80316]

§ Dr. Jack Cunningham
The Duchy of Lancaster lets all productive agricultural land on its estates to tenant farmers. The returns to the Duchy from let farms are in the form of farm rents. These rents are related to the earning capacity and profitability of farm holdings.
Should reform of the Common Agricultural Policy bring a change in the economics of tenanted farms, the Duchy would expect this to affect the earning capacities of the holdings, being the basis on which rents are calculated.